Fragmented Prairies and Grasslands


*This event has concluded. Thank you to all who attended! 

Virtual Workshop Recording Available

Cost: $29                                                                      


How did MN increase the protection and management of more prairie throughout the state? 

 Learn about a successful model that can be adapted and emulated for leveraging partnerships to increase prairie protection.

The Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan is a model for public-private collaboration in conservation and is a national model that can be adapted and emulated. Hosted in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR), this workshop was designed specifically for on-the-ground practitioners and statewide coordinators. Learn from active projects working to solve everyday grassland management questions. Many great MN prairie treasures will be visited including Chippewa Prairie PreserveLac Qui Parle Wildlife Management Area, Hastad and Randall Waterfowl Production Areas, Lake Johanna Esker PreserveOrdway Prairie Preserve and several native prairie bank conservation easements.

  • Explore various grassland conservation and management strategies along with the partnerships required to make them successful.
  • Engage with a network of Prairie Practitioners on a virtual field tour that discusses a wide variety of native prairie and other grassland protection and management projects.
  • Adapt new practices in regard to non-native, cool season grass control, prescribed disturbance, woody and invasive control, ecological monitoring, and much more.

Field presentations were filmed during an in-person event in Southwestern MN during July 2022. 



VIRTUAL FIELD WORKSHOP agenda

Time (EST)
Session
12:00 pm - 12:10 pm

Welcome and Opening Remarks:
Lisa Smith, Executive Director, Natural Areas Association

12:10 pm - 12:35 pm

Fragmented Prairies & Grasslands:
Reconnecting Habitats through Collaborative Partnerships 
Judy Schulte, Statewide Scientific & Natural Areas (SNA) Supervisor, 
Minnesota Department of Natural Areas (MN DNR)

Steve Chaplin, Prairie Conservation Coordinator, The Nature Conservancy
(MN-ND-SD Chapter)

12:35 pm - 1:10 pm

Ordway Prairie - Restoration, Seed Collection & Collaboration,
and Adaptive Management 
Field Presenters:
Angela Miner, Prairie Recovery Specialist, The Nature Conservancy
(MN-ND-SD Chapter)

Ben Carlson, Botanist, The Nature Conservancy (MN-ND-SD Chapter)

Sara Vacek, Refuge Biologist, Morris Wetland Management District,
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

1:10 pm - 1:55 pm

Lake Johanna Esker Preserve - Restoration Strategies 
Field Presenter:
Angela Miner, Prairie Recovery Specialist, The Nature Conservancy
(MN-ND-SD Chapter)

1:55 pm - 2:05 pm 

Break

2:05 pm - 2:15 pm

Randall Waterfowl Production Area - Restoration Strategies
Field Presenter: 
Scott Glup, Project Leader, Litchfield Wetland and Wildlife Service,
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

2:15 pm - 2:35 pm

Lac qui Parle Native Prairie Bank
Brome Control Study in Partnership with a Private Land Owner
Field Presenters: 
Brad Bolduan, Regional Scientific and Natural Areas Specialist, Southern MN, MN Department of Natural Resources

Rhett Johnson, Prairie Private Lands Specialist, MN Department of Natural Resources

Dustin Graham, Plant Ecologist/Botanist, MN Department of Natural Resources

2:35 pm - 2:50 pm

Chippewa Prairie (The Nature Conservancy Preserve) &
Lac qui Parle Wildlife Management Area (DNR) -
Working with a Private Land Owner Using Grazing as a Management Tool
Field Presenters: 
Fred Harris, Plant Biologist, MN Biological Survey

Walt Gessler, Lac qui Parle Wildlife Area Manager, 
MN Department of Natural Resources

Joe Blastik, Prairie Coteau Conservation Manager, The Nature Conservancy

Dave Trauba, Southern Region Wildlife Manager, MN Department of Natural Resources

Ben Gery, Field Steward, The Nature Conservancy (MN-ND-SD Chapter)

2:50 pm - 3:00 pm

Hasted/Hegland Waterfowl Production Area - Preserving a
High Quality Prairie
Field Presenters:
Bruce Freske, Manager, Morris Wetland Management District (WMD),
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Sara Vacek, Refuge Biologist, Morris Wetland Management District,
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

3:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Concluding Panel with the MN Prairie Conservation Plan Partners

A facilitated discussion based upon questions from the audience and essential learning points if you would like to replicate/adapt this model in your region.

3:30 pm

Conclusion




This Stewardship in Action Field Workshop was provided in partnership and with support from the Minnesota Department of Natural ResourcesUSDA Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management



*Programming subject to change. Check back frequently for updates. 


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