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Enhancing Grassland Wildlife Habitant
Upland Sand
Plover

Plover Picture and Leopold Statement
Grassland bird species need suitable habitat, reliable food sources, and in some cases, access to open water and nest cavities. A mixture of habitats is ideal since each species has slightly different needs. Land management practices, even on small acreages, can include mowing, burning, grazing, planting, restoration and alternative cropping practices.

Landowners can enroll in a wide variety of federal Farm Bill programs including: Conservation Reserve Program, Grassland Reserve Program, Wetland Reserve Program, to name a few. Contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency or County Land Conservation Department.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources offers the Landowner Incentive Program to help private landowners manage for wildlife. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service provides Partners in Fish & Wildlife Program.

All these programs are designed to help property owners protect and conserve their land while enhancing wildlife habitat. Finally, consider establishing a permanent conservation easement with a local land trust. This can be used to preserve your land in perpetuity.

Celebrate Grasslands At Home…

Protect your land,
manage it with wildlife in mind,
and enjoy all that nature has to offer.

 

    What You Can Do...
    In Your Backyard
  • Control invasive plant species.
  • Plant a native prairie garden.
  • Provide nesting boxes for grassland bird species, bluebirds.
  • Care for your land in concert with surrounding wildlife habitats.
  • Provide food and cover plants for the wildlife species that live near you.
  • Purchase foods from “grassland minded” farmers, such as those practicing management-intensive rotational grazing.
  • Support legislation that protects grassland habitat and its associated species.
  • Support organizations helping to maintain or increase grassland habitats.
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    What You Can Do...
    In The Country & On The Farm
  • Control the spread of woody plant species in grassland areas.
  • Place acres into conservation programs designed to establish, protect and enhance grassland habitat.
  • Establish grass buffers, as opposed to trees and shrubs, adjacent to wetlands and streams to provide additional cover.
  • Revitalize existing grass areas through burning, seeding, or disking.
  • Remove woody fence rows to enlarge grassland acreages.
  • Report rare or uncommon grassland species to your local DNR wildlife biologist.
  • Appreciate that a fallow field is not wasted, but valuable for species that use grassland habitat.
  • Delay cutting hay or grass until after July 15 each year to protect ground-nesting birds.
  • Plant winter wheat, as opposed to spring wheat, for better bird nesting habitat.
  • Establish permanent or rotational grass/hay fields composed of grass/legume mixtures.
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