Restoration is a Journey
Restoration is one topic about which we do not speak too much. But the amount of restoration we have done and continue to do here at LC Nature Park is considerable. Approximately 85 acres of former agricultural land have been converted to grassland, specifically tallgrass prairie. Ninety-five percent of the bison diet consists primarily of a handful of native warm-season grasses (Big and Little Bluestem, Indian Grass, Switchgrass, and Sideoats Grama Grass) that make a tallgrass prairie, a tallgrass prairie. But you might not know that about 25 acres of those restored grassland acres have not been part of the bison and elk enclosure. That is until now.
Photo of the new pond being dug in Buena Vista. Looking to the southeast.
At the end of last year, and after a lengthy permitting process, we closed off the area called Buena Vista and began work on constructing a pond (see image above). While this was happening, we also installed two bridges and more fencing. These bridges provide easy access to the Dune Prairie for animals and people alike, and the fencing ensures they stay put. First, we removed our westernmost fencing, which allowed us to extend the perimeter fencing across the bridges and encircle the Island (a relatively small woodland area on the east side of the drain), and the Dune Prairie, the previously excluded grassland acres. As of July 22nd, we have completed the fencing and bridges, the pond is nearly finished, and we have reopened the gate to allow the bison and elk back into these areas. However, they tend to stay out of the area when work is being done on the pond.
You may be asking, what's next? Pond work has slowed due to the recent precipitation but should be wrapping up soon. We will reseed Buena Vista, which is approximately 25 acres, with a native mesic prairie seed mix. For the next couple of years, we will keep these areas mowed to about 12 - 18 inches tall (I’m guessing the bison and elk will help keep the vegetation levels down as well). In 2025, depending on how well everything comes in, we will reintroduce fire to Buena Vista, and in 2026 we will reintroduce fire to the Dune Prairie as part of our 4-year burn plan.
We hope that by restoring this critically imperiled habitat, we will slow and limit the release of water into the Little River and significantly reduce soil erosion and downstream sedimentation. Restore quality habitat for the bison and elk and provide them with quality forage for grazing (bison) and browsing (elk). As well as attract native grassland birds, insects, and other mammals to the space.
