The 2022 Conservancy Farm Restoration Project was successfully completed this past September. The Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program project leverages almost $31,000 in federal funding.
Project partners are Ducks Unlimited and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Results are an enhanced 12.5 acres of emergent wetland and newly restored 30.2 acres of native upland prairie that are located at the site of former agricultural fields.
Conservancy Farm Prairie Wildflowers
Photo by Joel Geffen.
The project benefits as determined by SMLC’s Stewardship Committee include:
• Buffering 69 acres of existing woodlands – local wildlife habitat will increase from 109 acres to 138 contiguous acres
• Increasing grassland birds nesting and migration habitat
• Providing resources for pollinators and other insects
• Increased water quality in the area due to perennial native vegetation (reduces erosion, chemical runoff and sedimentation of nearby waterways) Desired outcomes include:
• A thriving local population of native insects, amphibians, birds and other wildlife that rely on grasslands and wetlands as part of their life cycle
• An increase in migrating birds using the site
• A more pleasant experience for the Farm’s trail users
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