USFWS Zickur/Odens WPA

Removal of invasive trees from prairie grassland/wetland habitats. The Odens WPA has scattered trees throughout the entire 425 acre property, with some very dense pockets of trees. The Zickur WPA also has many scattered trees and some dense spots across the entire 160 acres. The habitats targeted in the restoration projects are devoid of trees in their native pristine conditions. The purpose of the project is to restore protected public prairie habitats through the removal of invasive trees that have taken over the habitat. Grasslands that breed migratory birds are the targeted beneficiaries of the restoration project. The program, however, positively impacts all native prairie life utilizing the Prairie Pothole Region Prairie. This area has experienced extensive wetland drainage and conversion of native grasslands to cropland. The remnant parcels of native prairie and other tame grasslands in this area on public and private land have been invaded by smooth bromegrass, Kentucky bluegrass and woody species such as the Russian olive and Siberian elm and are in need of intensive management. Restoration of these habitats will benefit several species of concern. Species that could benefit from this project include: All waterfowl, American Bittern, Pygmy Shrew, Canadian toad, Northern Pintail, Arctic Shrew, Northern Prairie Skink, Northern Harrier, Plains pocket mouse, Smooth Green Snake, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Richardson's ground squirrel, Western Hognose Snake, Greater Prairie-chicken, Willet, Upland Sandpiper, Marbled Godwit, Wilson's Phalarope, Short-eared Owl, Sedge Wren, Grasshopper Sparrow, Le Conte's Sparrow, Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow, Dickcissel, Bobolink as well as a myriad of water birds and other grassland nesting birds. Protected public prairie habitat should accurately represent the look of the habitat being protected. The habitat restoration program brings an elevated alertness to the prairie's actual condition and has a very visually climactic before and after look. The change is almost immediate as species once forced away return to the restored treeless prairie.