Organizations of interest:
Tallgrass Prairie and Oak Savanna Fire Science Consortium www.tposfirescience.org
Tallgrass Prairie Center at University of Northern Iowa (Check out Prairie Seed Calculator!) www.tallgrassprairiecenter.org/
For The Prairie Enthusiasts, click here.
Driftless Area Land Conservancy driftlessconservancy.org/ and driftlessconservancy.org/protect-the-driftless/
Driftless Defenders (Protecting Driftless Area from ATC 345kV Transmission Line!!) driftlessdefenders.com/ and www.facebook.com/Driftless2016
The Aldo Leopold Foundation www.aldoleopold.org
The Nature Conservancy Military Ridge Prairie Heritage Area www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/wisconsin/placesweprotect/priority-area-military-ridge-prairie-heritage-area.xml
Blue Mounds Area Project - Promoting Restoration and Stewardship of Native Habitats www.bluemounds.org/index.html
Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association www.wisconsinwoodlands.org
Wisconsin Family Forests www.wisconsinfamilyforests.org
American Tree Farm System www.witreefarm.org
Tallgrass Prairie Center at University of Northern Iowa (Check out Prairie Seed Calculator!) www.tallgrassprairiecenter.org/
For The Prairie Enthusiasts, click here.
Driftless Area Land Conservancy driftlessconservancy.org/ and driftlessconservancy.org/protect-the-driftless/
Driftless Defenders (Protecting Driftless Area from ATC 345kV Transmission Line!!) driftlessdefenders.com/ and www.facebook.com/Driftless2016
The Aldo Leopold Foundation www.aldoleopold.org
The Nature Conservancy Military Ridge Prairie Heritage Area www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/wisconsin/placesweprotect/priority-area-military-ridge-prairie-heritage-area.xml
Blue Mounds Area Project - Promoting Restoration and Stewardship of Native Habitats www.bluemounds.org/index.html
Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association www.wisconsinwoodlands.org
Wisconsin Family Forests www.wisconsinfamilyforests.org
American Tree Farm System www.witreefarm.org
Educational Resources:
Prairie Restoration/Reconstruction:
UNI Prairie Seed Calculator: www.jamess.com/IowaPrairieSeedCalculator-D2/
The Prairie Seed Calculator is an awesome basic tool for creating a native prairie planting Seed Mix, that includes estimated seed costs. Choose prairie classifications from Dry to Wet sites. A list of vendors is included, but most are in Iowa or MN. I would choose a local WI nurseries and submit the available printed or digital copy of the custom seed mix, for cost quotes. Make sure you choose for a Fall (dormant) planting, as they are most successful. Your seed mix will include an appropriate cover crop. Most successful plantings are dormant seeded into prepared seedbeds (soybean stubble), prepped via 2 years of planting into Roundup Ready soybeans. (See The Prairie Ecologist Link below for "Lessons Learned".) I typically pick a NE Iowa County to get as close to WI as possible) On comparison to Wisconsin, NE Iowa native seed mixes are identical to those recommended for Southern and SW WI). Your nursery choice will vary however, in order to obtain local ecotype native seed.
A note is in order here, since prairie reconstruction/restorations main initial expense is native seed, we hope to begin an OWLS native local ecotype seed exchange among OWLS landowners!! This may involve Fall seed gathering/seed trading parties!! Sounds kind of fun, sunny October day walking/gathering in prairies, some OctoberFest afterwards?!
Where the Sky Began Land of the Tallgrass Prairie by John Madson (Not a restoration manual, but A Great Must Read!!)
naturalhistorynetwork.org/journal/articles/10-john-madsons-where-the-sky-began-land-of-the-tallgrass-prairie/
For straight forward and economical guidelines to Prairie Reconstruction go to: Carl Kurtz's "A Practical Guide to Prairie Reconstruction":
http://www.uiowapress.org/books/2013-fall/practical-guide-prairie-reconstruction.htm
The Prairie Ecologist "Lessons from the Grassland Restoration Network" by Chris Helzer:
prairieecologist.com/2010/12/13/lessons-from-the-grassland-restoration-network/
For a more in-depth Guide go to: Daryl Smith, et al. "The Tallgrass Prairie Center Guide to Prairie Reconstruction in the Upper Midwest":
http://www.uiowapress.org/books/2010-fall/tallgrass-prairie-center-guide-prairie-restoration-upper-midwest.htm
Tallgrass Prairie Center Native Seed Production Manual: www.tallgrassprairiecenter.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/native_seed_production_manual.pdf
A Field Guide to Terrestrial Invasive Plants in Wisconsin: dnr.wi.gov/files/PDF/pubs/fr/FR0436.pdf
The Tallgrass Restoration Handbook For Prairies, Savannas, and Woodlands Edited by Packard and Mutel:
digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1401&context=greatplainsresearch
The Prairie Garden 70 Native Plant You Can Grow...: uwpress.wisc.edu/books/0466.htm
Tallgrass Prairie Wildflowers: A Falcon Field Guide by Doug Ladd (google it!)
The Ecology and Management of Prairies in the Central United States by Chris Helzer (google it!)
For the DNR site on prairie burnings, check here.
Woodland/Savana Restoration:
Savanna Oak Foundation www.oaksavannas.org/index.html
Pleasant Valley Conservancy pleasantvalleyconservancy.org/savannas.html
Peggy Timmerman suggests the online tool provided by the American Forest Foundation (regardless of the type of property you have) to map your property, get information, and connect with other landowners. Visit www.MyLandPlan.org to learn more.
Also go to the following: UW Extension www.woodlandinfo.org or www.uwex.edu/ces
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources www.dnr.wi.gov/forestry
The Prairie Seed Calculator is an awesome basic tool for creating a native prairie planting Seed Mix, that includes estimated seed costs. Choose prairie classifications from Dry to Wet sites. A list of vendors is included, but most are in Iowa or MN. I would choose a local WI nurseries and submit the available printed or digital copy of the custom seed mix, for cost quotes. Make sure you choose for a Fall (dormant) planting, as they are most successful. Your seed mix will include an appropriate cover crop. Most successful plantings are dormant seeded into prepared seedbeds (soybean stubble), prepped via 2 years of planting into Roundup Ready soybeans. (See The Prairie Ecologist Link below for "Lessons Learned".) I typically pick a NE Iowa County to get as close to WI as possible) On comparison to Wisconsin, NE Iowa native seed mixes are identical to those recommended for Southern and SW WI). Your nursery choice will vary however, in order to obtain local ecotype native seed.
A note is in order here, since prairie reconstruction/restorations main initial expense is native seed, we hope to begin an OWLS native local ecotype seed exchange among OWLS landowners!! This may involve Fall seed gathering/seed trading parties!! Sounds kind of fun, sunny October day walking/gathering in prairies, some OctoberFest afterwards?!
Where the Sky Began Land of the Tallgrass Prairie by John Madson (Not a restoration manual, but A Great Must Read!!)
naturalhistorynetwork.org/journal/articles/10-john-madsons-where-the-sky-began-land-of-the-tallgrass-prairie/
For straight forward and economical guidelines to Prairie Reconstruction go to: Carl Kurtz's "A Practical Guide to Prairie Reconstruction":
http://www.uiowapress.org/books/2013-fall/practical-guide-prairie-reconstruction.htm
The Prairie Ecologist "Lessons from the Grassland Restoration Network" by Chris Helzer:
prairieecologist.com/2010/12/13/lessons-from-the-grassland-restoration-network/
For a more in-depth Guide go to: Daryl Smith, et al. "The Tallgrass Prairie Center Guide to Prairie Reconstruction in the Upper Midwest":
http://www.uiowapress.org/books/2010-fall/tallgrass-prairie-center-guide-prairie-restoration-upper-midwest.htm
Tallgrass Prairie Center Native Seed Production Manual: www.tallgrassprairiecenter.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/native_seed_production_manual.pdf
A Field Guide to Terrestrial Invasive Plants in Wisconsin: dnr.wi.gov/files/PDF/pubs/fr/FR0436.pdf
The Tallgrass Restoration Handbook For Prairies, Savannas, and Woodlands Edited by Packard and Mutel:
digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1401&context=greatplainsresearch
The Prairie Garden 70 Native Plant You Can Grow...: uwpress.wisc.edu/books/0466.htm
Tallgrass Prairie Wildflowers: A Falcon Field Guide by Doug Ladd (google it!)
The Ecology and Management of Prairies in the Central United States by Chris Helzer (google it!)
For the DNR site on prairie burnings, check here.
Woodland/Savana Restoration:
Savanna Oak Foundation www.oaksavannas.org/index.html
Pleasant Valley Conservancy pleasantvalleyconservancy.org/savannas.html
Peggy Timmerman suggests the online tool provided by the American Forest Foundation (regardless of the type of property you have) to map your property, get information, and connect with other landowners. Visit www.MyLandPlan.org to learn more.
Also go to the following: UW Extension www.woodlandinfo.org or www.uwex.edu/ces
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources www.dnr.wi.gov/forestry
Environmental Protection
Tom Baumberger suggests that anyone with plantings that may be subject to chemical drift from nearby agricultural fields visit:
http://wi.driftwatch.org/
The website has information on how to obtain DriftWatch "No Drift Zone" signs to post on the periphery of sensitive native landscape areas and organic crop
fields, as well as more information about the issues involved in the drift of commercial chemicals onto ecologically sensitive land. Here's a fact sheet with god background and discussion of current issues:
http://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/ID/ID-453-W.pdf
Also, please feel free to contact Tom to learn more about his first hand experiences with chemical drift, steps he's taken and issues he is still facing in protecting his 12 year old, 19 acre native Tallgrass Prairie restoration, upcoming shortgrass restoration, and oak/hickory savanna.
http://wi.driftwatch.org/
The website has information on how to obtain DriftWatch "No Drift Zone" signs to post on the periphery of sensitive native landscape areas and organic crop
fields, as well as more information about the issues involved in the drift of commercial chemicals onto ecologically sensitive land. Here's a fact sheet with god background and discussion of current issues:
http://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/ID/ID-453-W.pdf
Also, please feel free to contact Tom to learn more about his first hand experiences with chemical drift, steps he's taken and issues he is still facing in protecting his 12 year old, 19 acre native Tallgrass Prairie restoration, upcoming shortgrass restoration, and oak/hickory savanna.
Funding, Technical Assistance, and Incentive Based Programs
Wisconsin Landowner Incentive Program (LIP) dnr.wi.gov/topic/endangeredresources/lip.html
Natural Resources Convservation Services www.wi.nrcs.usda.gov
Partners for Fish and Wildlife www.fws.gov/midwest/WisconsinPartners
Natural Resources Convservation Services www.wi.nrcs.usda.gov
Partners for Fish and Wildlife www.fws.gov/midwest/WisconsinPartners
Burning Regulations and Permits
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources www.dnr.wi.gov/wisburn
Suppliers - Resources suggested by fellow OWLs
Don Golembieski suggests that for mushroom resources to visit Field & Forest Products. They supply mushroom spawn, kits and information for eash mushroom propagation event for beginners. They are located in Peshtigo and can be reached at http://www.fieldforest.net/ or at 800-792-6220.
For prairie seeds and support an "OWLS Cooperative Seed Share Program" is being encouraged, but needs a "Catalyst" . For more information contact: Tom Baumberger at email: RedBison62@yahoo.com. Such a Cooperative has the potential to supply OWLS with all their Native Seed Requirements!!
In addition, a number of OWLs have used the Prairie Nursery in Westfield, Wisconsin.
Here is the WDNR's list of Native Nurseries dnr.wi.gov/files/pdf/pubs/er/er0698.pdf
And WDNR's List of Restoration Consultants.
For prairie seeds and support an "OWLS Cooperative Seed Share Program" is being encouraged, but needs a "Catalyst" . For more information contact: Tom Baumberger at email: RedBison62@yahoo.com. Such a Cooperative has the potential to supply OWLS with all their Native Seed Requirements!!
In addition, a number of OWLs have used the Prairie Nursery in Westfield, Wisconsin.
Here is the WDNR's list of Native Nurseries dnr.wi.gov/files/pdf/pubs/er/er0698.pdf
And WDNR's List of Restoration Consultants.
