Loess Hills Invasive Species Control and Habitat Restoration

This grant funding, given May, 2003, to Golden Hills RC&D through the first-ever “Private Stewardship Grant Program” (PSGP) under the Interior Department’s U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, will assist private landowners to complete prairie restoration on private lands in Iowa’s Loess Hills.

Approximately 100 species of concern (at-risk species) have been identified as benefiting from Invasive Species Control and Habitat Restoration activities, including the Regal Fritillary, Prairie Moonwort, Eared Milkweed, Soapweed, Cowboy’s Delight, ten-petal Mentzelia, Great Plains Skink, Plains Pocket Mouse, Prairie Rattalesnake, Aragos Skipper, Ottoe Skipper and Sharp-tailed Grouse.

Golden Hills RC&D and the Loess Hills Alliance Stewardship Committee are working together to abate threats to these natural resources in the Loess Hills.   Livestock producers, experiencing the reduction and loss of grassland habitat due to the negative impacts of woody intruders, also desire to control woody plant invasion on remnant prairies.  With this common link, we are working with landowners to restore the Loess Hills prairie for prairie obligate species; simultaneously improving the unique characteristics and productivity of these grasslands for livestock grazing.

Invasive Species Control and Habitat Restoration activities to be implemented include:

1) restore/improve native habitat
2) improve grazing lands and
3) restore oak savannas

by providing landowners with cost-share and technical assistance on best management practices for the Loess Hills.

A strong secondary component, critical to the lasting success of restoration, will be education with landowners and the general public about the significance of the Loess Hills landform, the Loess Hills prairies and obligate species, and the necessity of fire and other management practices in the restoration of native habitat.