Pembina Beach Ridges #1

This project will manage aspen and other woody species at the Neal/Cupido/Syre WMA and Twin Valley Prairie SNA complex, hereafter Syre Complex, in Norman County. This is one of our largest grassland blocks in northwest Minnesota. As such, it is a key habitat block for grassland species such as prairie chickens, upland sandpipers, and numerous grassland songbirds. However, because the area is so wet, there are also significant amounts of brood habitat for American woodcock, a species traditionally thought of as an early successional woodland species. Much of this aspen habitat has become overmature, creating poor habitat for species such as woodcock and deer. The tall trees also discourage grassland nesting birds. The goal of this project is not to eliminate woody cover on the WMAs but return them to a younger successional stage. The shorter aspen trees will provide cover for woodcock, browse for deer and moose, and will create improved grassland habitat in adjacent areas.