Conservation Corps

The Madison WMD Have an Aggressive Grassland Reconstruction Programs That Emphasize the Importance of Restoring Grassland Function. a Critical Component of Grassland Reconstructions Are the Establishment of a Diverse Native Forb Component in Grassland Plantings. Native Forb Seed Is Very Expensive and Can Even Be Very Difficult to Find in Order to Purchase. the Alternative Is to Collect the Seed From Intact Prairie, and This Is the Approach We Are Currently Focusing Our Efforts on. Seed Harvest and Processing Is Labor Intensive, This Is Why We Are Pursuing the Assistance of the Minnesota Conservation Corp. the Individuals of the MNCC Will Be Utilized to Maximize Our Seed Collection and Processing Efforts During Late September Through Early November. Actual Dates Will Be Negotiated With the MNCC When Funding Is Acquired. Last Year, a Crew From the Minnesota Conservation Corps Assisted the Madison WMD With Collecting and Processing Native Prairie Grass and Forb Seed for the Purpose of Reconstructing Grassland Habitats on Federal Lands. the Crew Harvested 450 Bulk Pounds of Native Forb Seed, Consisting of 35 Different Species From Various Waterfowl Production Areas. Project Explanation the Crew Members Will Be Trained on Plant Identification, Harvesting Techniques and Processing Equipment. the Youth Will Gain a General Understanding of How and Why the Usfws Develops High Diversity Plantings in Order to Restore Grasslands and Ecosystem Function. They Will Be Exposed to Many Ecological Concepts and Gather an Understanding of Landscape Scale Planning.