HCP VI - Melvin Slough Landscape Restoration (2a)

Overall Project Outcome and Results
MDHA funding restored a total of two oak savannahs (grassland enhancement) consisting of 35 acres on the Winger Waterfowl Production Area (WPA). Federal WPA's are managed for waterfowl production and are open to public hunting and other recreation consistent with the National Wildlife Refuge System. This restoration to the oak savannahs will create suitable habitat for deer, turkey, ruffed grouse, and other cavity nesting birds.

Specifically, on the Winger WPA (Polk County Winger Township 147, Range 42, Section 2) we restored two oak savannahs for 35 acres by shearing and piling undesirable trees such as boxelder, cottonwood, willow, and aspen which opened the landscape to promote savannah habitat. Large and small oak trees were not cut and the seedlings were flagged to prevent accidental damage.

All work was done in partnership with the USFWS Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District and other funds were secured and provided by the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association Hides for Habitat funds.

Project Results Use and Dissemination
MDHA has restored a total of two oak savannahs (35 acres total) on public land that is permanently protected and open to public hunting. These restored oak savannahs provide upland habitat for a variety of wildlife with a large scale benefit to hundreds of acres on the Winger WPA as well as the surrounding private land habitats. Future management of grasslands will be conducted by the USFWS Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District.

Since this initial project was submitted, MDHA changed project managers from Phase IV. In phase V our funds from matching came mostly from the Hides for Habitat funds through MDHA which is why there are less "other funds" contributed to this Phase V work plan. MDHA strives to identify projects that capitalize on our chapter system and will improve on this into the future.