7. PRSR 04-1-2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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12 I Work Plan: The Highland Park Environmental Education and Natural Areas Restoration project will be timed to coincide with building of shard-surface trail through the park corridor. The two main components of this Grant Request include Educational Signage and Natural Area restoration. These are described in greater detail below: Activity: Environmental Education Signage Activity Cost: $3,250 An interpretive sign will be designed for use in the park/trail corridor. We anticipate that the minimum sign size will be 18 x 24 inches and include natural history information about the site itself and the landscape of Elk River. Particular emphasis will be placed on explaining the process of natural area management/restoration as well as the problem of nonnative/invasive species and how they are treated. The sign is also anticipated to include text on how residents can get involved in managing natural resources on their own property. Two signs will be manufactured of a weather/vandal resistant material and then installed by City staff in prominent locations within the park (potentially at trail intersections and/or high points in elevation). The City Parks Staff and ecologist will be responsible for design, installation, and maintenance of the signs. Sign design is anticipated to cost $1,800, manufacturing of two signs $800, and installation by City is $600 of in-kind work. Activity: Natural Areas Restoration Activity Cost: This portion of the project involved restoration of existing prairie (2.5 acres) and oak woodland (2.6 acres), as well as reforestation with oaks of 1.2 acres of City park land. Restoration activities will be publicized through the city website, local newspaper, and/or other local/regional news outlets. The prairie restoration will involve site preparation to control exotic/nonnative grasses, brush, and small trees, and inter/over seeding of local ecotype seed for species that are native to the City of Elk River. Seeding anticipated for spring 2006. Site preparation is anticipated to be $750, while seed/seeding and grow-in maintenance is expected to cost $3,150. Seeding is anticipated to include drilling and/or broadcast seeding, depending on the results/method used in site preparation, final method selection will be made to accomplish the best seed-soil contact/success. Maintenance of this area will be accomplished by the City of Elk River in cooperation with Connexus Energy, who operates the electrical transmission lines traversing the site as right-of-way maintenance activities for this type of area is consistent with maintaining prairie. The oak woodland restoration area is in generally good condition, as noted in the Elk River Natural Resources Inventory. However, it is in need of control of European buckthorn and honeysuckle that is moderately thick to thick at the site. Invasive/exotic shrub control is expected to take place in the fall 2005 to spring 2006 period and cost $1,950 to complete with City staff or hired restoration company, including labor, equipment, and all materials. There are two Reforestation Areas proposed that total 1.2 acres. These will be prepared and planted in the spring of 2006. We propose to prepare planting locations by using a solution of Roundup to spray individual 2' X 2' spots into existing cool season grass cover, then planting 18-24 inch tall bur and pin oak saplings, and installing a woven polypropylene weed barrier (up to 3' X 3') with each planted tree to reduce competition from weeds and provide a good head start for the saplings. We will plant at a rate of 350 trees for the 1.2 acre site with a goal of 50% survival after 3 years (175 trees established). Site preparation, planting, and two-year maintenance are expected to cost $3,650. Plant Materials/Origin: We propose to purchase grass and flower seed from one of three local vendors with plant material originating within 25-50 miles of the site (Prairie Restorations, MN Native Landscapes, and/or North American Prairies). Purchase of tree saplings will be accomplished from the nearest source practical, and within 50 miles origin if possible. A proposed seeding list is included below. City of Elk River -Highland Trails Environmental Education and Natural Areas Restoration 2005 MN DNR Conservation Partners -Environmental Partners Grant Application