6.2 at 1 Camp Cozy Park_NRMP_2023

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7 Friends of the Mississippi River Camp Cozy Park NRMP Figure 1: Camp Cozy ca. 1938. Credit: LeeAnn Watzke, Sherburne History Center There has been a long history of agriculture in this area of the County, and agriculture continues to dominate the overall landscape. However, the area directly around the property is now mostly in seasonal and permanent residential use, which reflects the conversion of remnant plant communities, agriculture and pasture lands as the City of Elk River expands. Historically, conversion of prairie and savanna habitat led to the loss of many native plant and animal species. Existing conditions show evidence of imperiled plant communities and a proliferation of invasive vegetation. Camp Cozy has primarily been used for passive recreation and cross-country running races, and controlled archery hunting is permitted as part of the city’s white-tailed deer management program. These uses are easily compatible with targeted, intentional management of invasive plants and the return of historic disturbance regimes, such as fire, which will preserve these unique habitats for generations to come. Driven by the rarity of natural ecosystems in this matrix of residential and agricultural lands and degradation from invasive species and other land use practices, this plan recommends restoring native plant communities on the site. Restoration of prairie and oak savanna communities on the site is prioritized as these habitats are among the most in need of restoration in this ecological subsection, the Anoka Sandplain/Big Woods subsections. Vegetation and breeding bird surveys are also recommended by this plan to monitor the site for plant and bird diversity, the measure of which would show trends in the site’s ability to provide improved habitat.