Minnesota Prepares Oak Savanna Restoration Program and Fall Funding Round

Minnesota is preparing a restoration program for oak savannas, the open, oak-dotted habitat between tallgrass prairie and woodland. The work is aimed at reconnecting remaining habitat in the central and southeastern parts of the state.

The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources describes the Oak Savanna Restoration for Living Landscapes program in its September update. The target area is the Eastern Broadleaf Forest Province, a region covering nearly 12 million acres. That is the geographic area eligible for projects, not a claim that 12 million acres will be restored.

BWSR says oak savannas support more than 90 Species of Greatest Conservation Need, with examples including red-headed woodpeckers, regal fritillary butterflies and the endangered rusty patched bumblebee. Fire suppression, agricultural conversion and urban development have reduced the habitat's extent.

The program has two appropriations: $1.7 million from the Outdoor Heritage Fund and $1.94 million from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. BWSR will partner with the Xerces Society, which will provide scientific and technical guidance on site planning, seed mixes, vegetation management and monitoring.

A competitive request for proposals is planned for later this fall. Eligible applicants will include soil and water conservation districts, counties, cities and Tribal Governments with projects in the target region. BWSR is encouraging early questions to Jason Beckler at jason.beckler@state.mn.us.

This is a program announcement, not a notice opening a new hunting area. Project locations, restoration work and any public-access arrangements will need to be checked as individual projects are developed.