habitat management
The ACD works with many partners to complete several types of habitat improvement projects throughout Anoka County. Projects include prairie restorations, windbreaks, backyard wildlife plantings, forest and woodland improvements. Habitat improvement can be accomplished on a variety of sites, big and small. ACD often works with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the US Fish and Wildlife Service to complete habitat improvement projects.
Cost share assistance may be available for the design and/or installation of some of these practices. Currently available cost share funds are identified in the Financial Assistance section of the website.
- Wildlife habitat improvement : involves many types of
practices designed to attract wildlife by providing different
forms of food, cover, and water. Wildlife habitat improvement
projects are typically predominantly vegetative along with
the creation of escape cover such as brush piles and rock
piles.
Information on ANR.com: Urban Conservation, Wildlife Corridors
ACD Contact : Chris Lord 763/434-2030 ext. 13
- Ecosystem restoration - involves the reestablishment of
vegetation complexes that are believed to have existed in
an area prior to settlement of the area. Diverse ecosystems
of native vegetation are believed by biologist to support
a wider variety of wildlife and to be more resilient in
the face of natural and man made disturbances.
Examples: Kern Restoration Project
Information on ANR.com: Prairie Management
ACD Contact : Chris Lord 763/434-2030 ext. 13
- Invasive species control - involves the eradication or
containment of plant species known to crowd out other plants,
creating a colony of only one plant type that provides little
benefit to wildlife. Control of invasive species is important
to maintain wildlife and biological diversity and to reduce
agricultural production losses. Effective control techniques
will be provided for Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica),
Glossy Buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula), Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia
esula), Thistle species (Cirsium spp.), Purple Loosestrife
(Lythrum salicaria), Reed Canary Grass (Phalaris arundinacea),
Spotted Knapweed (Centaurea maculosa), and Eurasian Water
Milfoil (Myriophylum spicatum).
Information on ANR.com: Invasive Species
ACD Contact : Chris Lord 763/434-2030 ext. 13
- Wetland restoration - involves the restoration of wetland
ecosystems by managing the soil, hydrology and vegetation
of a site to recreate wetland conditions believed to have
existing on site prior to the degradation of the wetland
due to either natural or anthropogenic influences.
Information on ANR.com: Wetland Management
ACD Contact : Dennis Rodacker 763/434-2030 ext. 14
- Backyard conservation - involves the installation of
practices in small urban and suburban lots that can improve
water quality, reduce flooding, enhance soils, attract wildlife,
and maximize natural aesthetics.
Examples: Backyard Conservation Factsheet
Information on ANR.com: Urban Conservation
ACD Contact : Chris Lord 763/434-2030 ext. 13