The How to Prairie Restoration Session DATE AND TIME Thursday, 25 February 2010 / 10AM-1130AM SPEAKER(S) Nate Simons Executive Director Blue Heron Ministries 2955 W. Orland Road Angola, IN 46703 [email protected] SESSION DESCRIPTION Native prairies are an ever-increasing heritage landscape that are being recreated and cared for by park and public land management agencies. Provide habitat, protection, and natural beauty for animals and visitors alike, the prairie once dominated much of the Great Lakes region and is an important sustainable landscape for plants and animals. This instructional session will get you started on restoring a pretty patch of prairie land on your park property. Prairies are indigenous to the Midwest and prairie-oak ecosystems have been around since the ice age. They are an important part of this area and have quickly disappeared over the years. Your organization can help bring this ecosystem back into existence. Nate Simons had a great, very informative presentation on how to build a prairie in your area. Thankfully Nate had copies of his program for everyone so they can follow his instructions and build the type of prairie that best suits them and the land they’re working with. SESSION LEARNING OBJECTIVES • Identify resources for prairie restoration planning, implementation and maintenance. • Describe the basic requirements and techniques for prairie restoration. So You Want to Build a Prairie… Presented by Nate Simons Executive Director, Blue Heron Ministries, Inc. Ecologist Aide, Division of Nature Preserves What is a “tallgrass prairie”?  “Prairie” is French for “meadow”.  It is a landscape type our forefathers encountered after they crossed the Appalachian Mountains heading west. photo by N. Simons  Prairie-oak ecosystems are sunlightdrenched, firedependent ecosystems indigenous to and indicative of the Midwest.  They are native “grasslands”.  It is an “orchard of oak and a sea of grass” (Source: The Tallgrass Restoration Handbook). Prairie Peninsula (Transeau, 1935) Tallgrass Prairie and Oak Woodland Region The Tallgrass Restoration Handbook, 1997, Society of Ecological Restoration Prairie-oak ecosystems have been around since the close of the ice-age, but reached its current range after the last major climate shift about 4-6,000 years ago. Temperature changes during the Holocene as recorded at 8 high resolution, long-duration sites around the globe and their average. www.globalwarmingart.com 1  Prairies once existed as a broad continuum over a broad range of soil types, moisture regimes and sunlight levels. Prairie: A grassland with no or few trees. Savanna: A grassland with scattered trees. Trees are oaks, well-spaced or in clumps. Woodland: An open forest with a vigorous turf of grasses and flowers throughout the growing season. Forest: Trees grow close together. Tree trunks have few lower limbs. Shade-tolerant shrubs and understory trees are present. Herbs are mostly ephemeral. Moisture Gradients in the Prairie-Oak Woodland Continuum The Tallgrass Restoration Handbook, 1997, Society of Ecological Restoration Prairie-Forest Continuum The Tallgrass Restoration Handbook, 1997, Society of Ecological Restoration Prairie: A grassland with no or few trees. Savanna: A grassland with scattered trees. Trees are oaks, well-spaced or in clumps. Woodland: An open forest with a vigorous turf of grasses and flowers throughout the growing season. Forest: Trees grow close together. Tree trunks have few lower limbs. Shade-tolerant shrubs and understory trees are present. Herbs are mostly ephemeral. Prairie-Forest Continuum Power of the Prairie: Roots! Graphic by: Prairie Nursery, Westfield WI  Prairies are mostly underground. Two-thirds of the plant biomass exists as roots! The Tallgrass Restoration Handbook, 1997, Society of Ecological Restoration Marsh and Sedge Meadow Note bulrushes at lake edge (no cattails), sedges, wetland grasses, and diverse wildflower display in full sunlight. Fen Note slope, groundwater charged wetland, muck soils, and diverse sedge and wildflower community. 2 Fen Dry-mesic prairie Fens are unique, “flowthru” wetlands. They receive mineral-rich groundwater from the adjacent sand and gravel hillsides and discharge the groundwater (frequently via rivulets and prairie streams) into downslope rivers or lakes. Note diversity of prairie grasses and forbs, full sun, and no tree canopy. photo by N. Simons Oak Savanna Ecosystem Barrens Note very droughty, sandy soil, scattered black oaks and wildflowers in full sunlight. Note open-grown oaks, herbaceous ground layer, and filtered sunlight. photo by N. Simons Open Oak Woodland Ecosystem Note tree density of approximately 100 trees per acre. Trees include white oak, black oak, and shagbark hickory. Open Oak Woodland Ecosystem Note not-quiteclosed canopy oaks, filtered sunlight, limited shrub layer, and diverse herbaceous ground cover. photo by N. Simons photo by N. Simons 3   Prairies are wild places and home to myriad plants and animals (insects, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals) and countless micro-organisms. Taking all the prairie ecosystems into account (wetlands and uplands), most of our endangered plant and animal species are dependent upon or prefer prairie habitats for some or all of their life cycles. Blanding’sTurtle Mitchell’s Satyr White Lady’s Slipper Orchid Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake Spotted Turtle Threatened and Endangered inhabitants of the critical habitat of Lakes Country Prairie-Oak Continuum Wet prairie and oak savanna ecotone   Note critical habitat is comprised of open-grown oak uplands and their adjacent wet prairies.  The wet prairie is a diverse sunlit-habitat of wetland prairie grasses, sedges, and forbs.  Now the most-endangered ecosystem on earth, less than 1% of the original extent of the prairie-oak ecosystem remains. The bad news is that, due to irrecoverable changes (species extinction, development, etc.), we can never fully restore the prairie. The good news is that we can re-create the prairie and send it on a new trajectory as we learn to restore and live with this fascinating landscape. It is a landscape that humans have lived with for millennia and can continue to live with into the future. photo by N. Simons Why create prairies? Ecologic reasons       Ecological reasons Historic reasons Economic reasons Aesthetic reasons   Prairies are habitat for animals of declining numbers esp. groundnesting birds and native pollinators and nectar-ers. Prairies increase native plant diversity. They are sanctuaries for native plants of declining numbers. Prairies are “wet-lands”. Due to plant’s deep roots and numerous rootlets, soil becomes sponge-like absorbing almost all (>95%) water that falls upon the ground. Prairies serve as permanent erosion control for the soil. Deep roots of perennial plants keep soil in its place. 4 Historic reasons    Prairies were the landscape type common to our region. Prairies were the landscape type that our pioneer forefathers encountered when they settled in our region Prairies are what distinguish our region from other regions in the United States and the world…sense of place. Economic reasons       Prairies, once established, require no-to-very-little artificial inputs to maintain. Prairies, once established, require little maintenance (Note that I didn’t say “No” maintenance). Prairies, once established, therefore cost less than traditional landscapes to maintain. Seeded prairies cost approximately 30% less per acre to install compared to seeded lawns (source: Prairie Nursery, Inc.). Prairies cost approximately 60% less per acre to maintain compared to mowed lawns Prairies Can Save You Money… (source: Prairie Nursery, Inc.). And Lots of It! The larger the area the more Source: www.prairienursery.com the savings. Aesthetic reasons      This is the most controversial reason. To the untrained eye, a prairie looks like “just a bunch of weeds”. To the trained eye, a prairie is the most beautiful landscape on earth. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Ever-changing color, texture, patterns, height…never the same from year to year and within each season. This may be the single-most reason people build prairies. Where does one build a prairie?  Some say they can “see” the glory of the Creator in this landscape type. First, a note on “restoration”, “re-creation” and “natural area management”.   We like to lump all prairie projects into the “restoration” category. In reality “restoration” means taking something back to the way it was. In prairie restoration that is impossible…things have changed. 5  Remnants of prairies still exist and must be actively managed in order to maintain structure and diversity.  A looser definition means to build a prairie exactly where one existed in former times…start from scratch on a historic prairie location. How does one find out where these locations were? How does one find out where these locations were?  Government Land Office surveyor notes.  Government Land Office surveyor notes.  Soils data (mollisols).  Historic anecdotal information. How does one find out where these locations were? How does one find out where these locations were?  “The Pottawatomie [sic] Indians were all over this country, and frequently centered around Brockville [now the town of Fremont in Fremont Township].” (page 296)  “The land [near present day Fremont] was much of it oak openings, the trees were some distance apart and the fire ran through them every year and kept down the young trees so that one could see a long ways...” (page 296)  “Millgrove Township was first settled in 1834. The early pioneers were attracted by the rich burr-oak openings and thought it would be easier to obtain a home and acquire comfortable circumstances here than it would be in the unbroken forests in other portions of the country.” (page 496)  “The immediate location of the village [Orland in Millgrove Township] is on a level plateau of what was called burr-oak openings in early times, there being also on the southern border of the town a little scope of prairie land.” (page 496)  “They [the Burdicks, early pioneers] settled in the eastern part of Jamestown Township, in the oak openings, and there they made a home and lived thirty years.” (page 558)  Soils data (mollisols). Anecdotal references to what once was: selected quotations from History of Steuben County: 1885 6 A still looser definition of “restoration” means to build a prairie in the vicinity of historic prairies (i.e. somewhere in the Midwest).  Start from scratch on a non-historic prairie location…former forestland turned agricultural land. In reality, we are building or re-creating prairies based on the best information we have because they are really neat!  Prairies can be built on just about any soil type and in any moisture regime and just about anywhere. Prairies can be built next to buildings… In drainage swales… Openings in woodlands… Or in open fields… 7 Just keep in mind how you will maintain them! How to build a prairie. I. Restoration A. If you suspect that an area contains a native seed bank or dormant plant propagules, or did in the recent past…burn, baby, burn! B. Keep burning annually until you get what you want…OR C. Until you are sure nothing good is appearing. photo by Nate Simons Prairie-oak ecosystems require fire.  Spot-herbicide applications may be required to eliminate the competition. How to build a prairie. II. Start from scratch If an area has been plowed, bulldozed, or sprayed, several start-from-scratch options are available... A. Plowing and Seeding. B. No-till drill seeding. C. Interseeding. D. Hand-planting.  Sometimes brush-mowing is required to allow sunlight in…then burn! A. Plowing and Seeding. 1. Plan ahead. a. Dormant seeding vs. b. growing-season seeding. 2. If no sod exists (harvested corn, wheat, or soybean field): a. Corn stubble…know the field herbicide history…Atrazine and Treflan has residual soil activity that prevents the germination of many prairie species. Plant soybeans and wait a year or two. b. Wheat stubble may be problematic due to allelopathic effect of wheat stalks…plant soybeans and wait a year. c. Soybean stubble is best. Plant two years of “Roundup Ready” soybeans. d. Shallowly cultivate or harrow (less than 2 inches deep) e. Roll or compact soil (very important). f. Sow seed in the fall…just before the snow flies. 8 A. Plowing and Seeding. (cont’d) A. Plowing and Seeding. (cont’d) 3. If old field vegetation community exists: a. Plant two years of “Round-up Ready” soybeans…OR b. Broadcast spray the field two or three times during the growing season to eliminate perennial weeds. c. Beginning in early spring the following year, shallowly cultivate or harrow (less than 2 inches deep) every three weeks through summer to reduce annual weeds and weed seeds…OR d. Continue broadcast herbicide applications. e. Spot-spray perennial weeds. f. Roll or compact soil just prior to seeding (very important). g. Sow seed in the fall…just before the snow flies. 4. Sowing seed. a. Sources of seed i. Obtain seed from sources as close to the planting site as possible. ii. Wild collected. 1. Ensures local genetics “keep-saking” 2. Good volunteer activity. 3. Sense of “doing it all” from start to finish. 4. Get permission to collect on private or public property. Tractor-drawn seed stripper by Prairie Habitats, Inc., Argyle, Manitoba iii. Nursery purchased seed. Pile of hand-collected, “dirty” seed 1. Source identified. 2. Seed testing. 3. Pure Live Seed (PLS). (ex. Purity = 94% Viability = 75% PLS = 0.705 If you order 1# of PLS, you will receive 1.42# bulk seed) 9 A. Plowing and Seeding. (cont’d) b. Seed mix design. i. Know target moisture regime. 1. Wet 2. Wet-Mesic 3. Mesic 4. Dry-Mesic 5. Dry ii. Grasses and Forbs. 1. Not pounds per acre, but seeds per square foot (40-65 native seeds per square foot…may need to increase for wetland seeding). Indiana “Source Identified” seed tag Seed testing results A. Plowing and Seeding. (cont’d) 2. Include as many species as budget allows…the more the merrier. Typical “warm-season grass” mixes contain 1-4 species. A good prairie mix may have 20 or more species. 3. If you want flowers, include 5067% forb seed (by seed count). 4. In addition to the grass species, include forb seed from as many “families” as possible (i.e. Leguminosae, Compositae, Scophulariacae, etc.) Grasses and grass-likes… Forbs (wildflowers)… Dry Dry Big Bluestem Indian Grass Little Bluestem Wet Ohio Spiderwort Butterfly Milkweed Wild Bergamot Prairie Dock Blue Lobelia Marsh Blazingstar Wet Prairie Cordgrass Dark Green Bulrush Oval Sedge this is your permanent “fuel” Common Boneset Spotted Joe-Pye Weed this is your “beauty” and diversity. 10 A. Plowing and Seeding. (cont’d) iii. Include a cover crop if broadcast seeding; a bushel of oats per acre. The oats act as a “tracer”, a “carrier”, and a temporary “erosion control matrix”. A. Plowing and Seeding. (cont’d) c. Seeding methods. i. Drill (Important: make sure depth bands are set to place seed less than ¼ inch deep). ii. Broadcast (fertilizer spreader or drop seeder). iii. Hand seed (monkey grinder or hand scattering). Prairie seed drills Hand-seeding works where equipment can’t go. Spreaders and Dropseeders Hand-seeding a prairie is a great volunteer activity! 11 A. Plowing and Seeding. (cont’d) B. No-till Drill Seeding 4. Pack seed (seed-to-soil contact). a. Not necessary when seeding in winter...but it’s fun as a volunteer activity following hand-seeding. b. Is critical any other time of year. i. Roll or cultipack if broadcast seeding. ii. It’s automatic when using a seed drill. 1. Prepare seedbed by broadcast applying herbicide to kill perennial weeds. 2. Seed drills. a. Separate seed boxes for small, fluffy, and cover crop seed. b. Each box is calibrated to distribute seed evenly. c. The drill slices soil, deposits seed in the soil, and covers the seed all in one operation. 3. Drill seed (typically done in spring following last herbicide application, but can be done in late fall and even on frozen ground). C. Interseeding 1. Burn to remove soil-covering duff layer. 2. Broadcast or drill prairie seed following burn. 3. Burn, baby, burn…annually until prairie emerges. 4. This experimental process may take 6-10 years to establish a prairie. 5. Advantages: inexpensive, no soil disturbance, can be used where relic plants occur in a depauperate prairie. 6. Disadvantage: slow results. D. Hand-Planting. 1. For small areas only. This is the costliest method of prairie establishment, but is the quickest establishing…good for high visibility and demonstration areas. 2. Prepare seedbed by broadcast applying herbicide to kill perennial weeds in. 3. Mulch area to be planted with a thick layer of composted leaves. 4. Dibble or auger holes 12-15 inches apart. 5. Plant prairie plugs in the spring. 6. Water weekly for the first 2-3 months. 7. Hand weed often. Hand-planted prairies are good volunteer activities! 12 III. Post-Planting Management 1. Post-planting management is often over-looked, but is very important for good establishment. 2. Mow 2-3 times during the growing season to keep annual weeds from setting seed and to allow sunlight to soil for prairie seed germination. Mow at about a 6-8 inch height. 3. Watch for and spot-apply herbicide to emerging perennial weeds. 4. Mow again in spring of the second growing season. 5. Watch for and spot-apply herbicide to emerging perennial weeds. 6. Burn as soon as fuel becomes available. 7. Burn annually (for at least 3-5 years). 13 IV. Keys to good prairie establishment: 1. Good seedbed preparation. 2. Good seed. 3. Good seed-to-soil contact. 4. Good control of emerging weeds (herbicide and/or mow). 5. Burn, baby, burn! Prairie establishment. Year 1. V. What to expect. (Keep your expectations low…and be pleasantly surprised if it ends up better than you thought!) 1. Year 1. Expect a very weedy first growing season. Mowing helps to keep the planting looking like it is cared for. 2. Year 1. Expect to mow and spot-apply herbicide to control weeds the first growing season. 3. Year 1. Expect slow establishment of perennial prairie plants the first growing season (basal leaves only). Some prairie seed may not germinate for a year or two or three. The prairie is in its infancy. V. What to expect (cont’d). 4. Year 2. Expect a flush of prairie plant growth the second growing season. Expect some forb flowering the second growing season. The prairie is going through puberty. Canada Rye is the dominate grass. Black-Eyed Susan, Wild Bergamot, and Yellow Coneflower are early bloomers. 5. Year 2. Expect to mow and spot-apply herbicide to control weeds the second growing season (but not as much). 6. Year 2. You may have enough fuel to burn by the fall of the second growing season. 14 V. What to expect (cont’d). Prairie establishment. Year 2. 7. Year 3-5. By the third growing season, weeds are becoming less of a nuisance as prairie plants increase in size and number. Dominate prairie grasses are well-established. Most of the prairie forbs will bloom. 8. Year 3-5. By the fifth growing season, the prairie has reached young adulthood. All the species planted should be apparent if they are going to be part of the prairie. Canada Rye will drop out of the plant community for the most part. Dry-mesic Prairie. Prairie establishment . Year 4. Dry-mesic Prairie. Prairie establishment . Year 4. Wet Prairie. Prairie establishment. Year 3. V. What to expect (cont’d). 9. Beyond the sixth growing season, fire should be the only management tool required to maintain the prairie. The only practical way to add new species at this point is to spot kill prairie grass clumps and plant plugs of desired forbs. 15 V. What to expect (cont’d). 10. Expect to enjoy your prairie in all its color, texture, patterns, diversity, beauty… …and LIFE! VI. Sources of information. So you want to build a prairie… …go for it! General information on prairies:  Weaver, J.E. North American Prairie. Johnsen Publishing Company. Lincoln, NE. 1954.  Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conference http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/EcoNatRes/subcollections/NAPCAbout.html General information on prairie restoration:  Packard, Stephen and Cornelia F. Mutel, eds. The Tallgrass Restoration Handbook for Prairies, Savannas, and Woodlands. Island Press. Washington, DC. 1997.  Packard, Stephen and Cornelia F. Mutel, eds. The Tallgrass Restoration Handbook for Prairies, Savannas, and Woodlands. Island Press. Washington, DC. 1997. General information on prairie restoration: Prairie plant field guide:  Ladd, Doug. Tallgrass Prairie Wildflowers. Falcon Publishing Company. Helena, MT. 1995. Prairie nursery information (this does not serve as an endorsement of the quality of their product, but these nursery catalogs contain a wealth of information and serve as sample of available prairie plants and seed):  Prairie Moon Nursery, Winona MN www.prairiemoon.com  Prairie Nursery, Westfield, WI www.prairienursery.com  Spence Restoration Nursery, Muncie, IN www.spencenursery.com 16
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