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As we shift from winter to spring, activities on our preserves will pick up pace. This late winter and early spring, invasive woody plant control began at Kelly Creek Preserve. KRLT received a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forestry Grant to control woody invasives, primarily buckthorn and box elder. KRLT has contracted with Zumbro Valley Forestry Inc. to complete the project. The project includes cutting or girdling and treating all large woody invasive species throughout the property with a follow-up treatment for small plants this fall.
The burning of over 75 brush piles at Headwaters was completed in February with over 500 hours of volunteer labor. Thanks to all that helped with that massive undertaking. That volunteer work has set us up for the next phase of prairie restoration - weed control and planting. We have an approved federal grant from the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) to cover contracted services for weed control, seed purchase, and planting. According to Cody Tromberg, Senior Farm Bill Biologist with NRCS, “all existing contracts are good to go” despite all the cuts to federal government programs. So, this summer weed and woody regrowth will be controlled through a contract with Habitat Creations Inc., followed by planting of prairie seed this fall or next spring.
Weather permitting, this spring, KRLT will also be conducting three prescribed burns to rejuvenate prairie plants on Kelly Creek, Drewiske, and the Headwater Preserves. We have contracted Habitat Creations Inc. to burn both the Drewiske Preserve five-acre access lane and the one-acre access lane at the Headwaters property. Kelly Creek preserve has been placed on a prescribed burn rotation, with 1/3 being burned each year. The southeast 1/3 of Kelly Creek will be burned this year, with plans to burn the other sections during spring of 2026 and 2027. Some prep work is required to conduct the burns and protect our recently planted bur oak saplings. I plan to set work parties soon to weed whip around those saplings to provide a fire break. Look for volunteer opportunities on our website under events.
As for conservation easements, KRLT currently has one in the works with a scheduled closing on April 9th. That easement will protect 20 acres of heavily wooded bluff land, a springhead, and river frontage on the Kinnikinnic River lower canyon. The easement will provide public access within 32 feet of the river for walking, fishing, and wildlife observation.
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