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development. In Sherburne County today, most of the native landscape has been at <br />least moderately altered by human activities, with only a small fraction remaining in <br />natural communities similar to what was here at the time of Euroamerican settlement. <br />Despite this, many natural community remnants can still be seen, particularly in areas <br />where compatible agricultural uses are practiced or development has not occurred. <br />Post-settlement Landscape <br />The first major wave of change to the post-settlement landscape came as woodlands <br />were cut and prairies broken by settlers clearing the land for agriculture and pastures. <br />Other historic influences important to some natural areas, particularly fire, were <br />suppressed by settlers. .Soon after, roads and railroads began to be built in the area to <br />connect settlers to towns, and towns to one another. These activities reduced the <br />number and quality of intact natural areas on the landscape during the mid- to late <br />1800's. Despite this, some of the traditional agricultural activities, such as grazing and <br />haying were at least to some degree compatible with maintaining the diversity and <br />function of natural areas. <br />This first wave of change continued into the early 1900's with the second great change <br />to the landscape coming after World War II. At this time, agriculture intensified and <br />farmers began planting just a few crops, rather than having diverse rotations of small <br />grains, pasture grasses, and hay. This in turn led to a decrease in the number of <br />families living and working on farms. At the same time, the automobile became the new <br />yardstick for commuting convenience and it became affordable for the average person <br />to live in the country and work in town. This second wave of change has resulted in <br />large-scale and remarkably dramatic changes in the landscape. Natural areas have <br />became more fragmented and isolated from one another, particularly in landscapes on <br />the urban/suburban fringe. Also, as agricultural practices such as grazing and haying <br />that were at least partially compatible with maintaining prairie and savanna were <br />stopped, trees and brush encroached on these areas at a rapid pace. This has <br />continued to process of reduced natural areas and their function on the landscape. <br />Top of the World Park Addition Natural Area Management Plan 5 <br />