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Grand River National Grasslands
Photo Courtesy U.S. Forest Service If current trends continue, wild turkey populations could decline in the prairie areas of western North Dakota and South Dakota as this vital habitat component is lost.
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Riparian restoration
rejuvenating the Heartland
Many hunter/conservationists know riparian areas are vitally important to wild turkeys for roosting, because cottonwood and green ash trees found in riparian corridors are often the only roost trees available. Unfortunately, cottonwoods are exhibiting poor regeneration due to many factors, including competition from non-native invasive species such as saltcedar and Russian olive. If current trends continue, wild turkey populations could decline in the prairie areas of western North Dakota and South Dakota as this vital habitat component is lost.
Two projects, funded in part, with NWTF Northern Plains Riparian Restoration Initiative dollars, are improving wildlife habitat and public hunting opportunities in the Dakotas.
Grand River National Grasslands
Working with local conservation districts, the Forest Service and other partners, the NWTF helped secure grants to plant cottonwoods on Forest Service lands in northwest South Dakota. The project is a cooperative effort to address declining riparian area health, particularly the lack of cottonwood regeneration along the Grand River. This project is entering its second year of “on-the-ground” riparian restoration work. In 2008, the NWTF and its partners spent more than $175,000 to improve riparian areas in northwest South Dakota on both public and private lands.
“The project was set back a little this year with some major spring flooding,” said NWTF Northern Great Plains Regional Biologist Jared McJunkin. “However, the flooding has created areas ideal for natural cottonwood regeneration, and opportunities to restore natural riparian function. Properly-functioning riparian areas trap sediment, aid in flood control, and improve water quality, along with providing high quality wildlife habitat. ”
In addition to wild turkeys, the area is rich in upland and big game hunting, including pheasant, grouse, deer and antelope. Hunters visiting the Grand River National Grassland often work out of Lemmon, S.D., a full-service community with campgrounds, motels and restaurants. Shadehill Recreation Area, with its 100 miles of shoreline, offers excellent fishing, hunting and camping. Finally, fulfill your tourist duties and check out the self-billed World’s Largest Petrified Park and Museum.
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Western North Dakota Wildlife Management Areas Photo Courtesy Jared McJunkin/NWTF |
Western North Dakota Wildlife Management Areas
In 2008, the NWTF, North Dakota Game and Fish, and other partners spent $12,000 to control Russian olive on the Neus Point Wildlife Management Area near Williston, N.D. In addition, the NWTF was successful in procuring a North Dakota Game and Fish State Wildlife Implementation Grant to continue the Russian olive removal work on adjacent western WMAs. The objectives of the project are to treat all Russian olives on the Ochs Point WMA (roughly 40 acres) and begin treatments on the neighboring Lewis and Clark and Trenton WMAs near Williston, N.D. Treatments will include both foliar and mechanical treatments.
“Russian olives are a significant threat to the conservation of the riparian areas found in the northern Great Plains,” added McJunkin. “Russian olives are prolific invaders that readily invade riparian areas and outcompete native woody and herbaceous vegetation like cottonwoods and willows. Removing Russian olives from riparian areas will, hopefully, allow native species to return and thrive.”
The WMAs to be improved by the projects are popular with hunters, who often use nearby Williston as a home base for their hunting adventures. — James Powell