HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.v. Participation in Purchase of Conservation Easement - Wiklund PropertyCITY OF ROSEMOUNT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FOR ACTION
City Council Meeting Date December 21, 2004
AGENDA ITEM: Participation in Purchase of Conservation
AGENDA SECTION:
Easement Wiklund Property
CONSENT
PREPARED BY: Dan Schultz, Parks and Recreation
AGENDA NO
Director
ATTACHMENTS Conservation Easement, Management Plan
APPROVED BY:
and Map
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Motion to approve the expenditure of $100,000 om the
Park Improvement Fund for the participation in the purchase of a Conservation
Easement on the 25 15 acres owned by Aina Wiklund at 12110 Bacardi Avenue
ACTION:
ISSUE
The City has the opportunity to participate with the Minnesota Department of Natural
Resources (DNR) Greenways and Dakota County in the purchase of a 25 15 acre
conservation easement from Aina Wiklund The proposed purchase price of the easement is
$500,000 The DNR would provide $150,000, Dakota County $250,000 and $100,000 would
come from the City of Rosemount
The entire 25 15 acres would be covered by the attached Conservation Easement and
managed per the attached Management Plan Ms Wiklund then intends to split her property
and donate the fee title to approximately 15 acres to the City She would keep the remaining
10 acres
BACKGROUND
In September of 2003 the City Council passed a resolution supporting the efforts of Aina
Wiklund to preserve her land and the application of her property in the Dakota County Natural
Area Program
The Wiklund property provides important wildlife habitat and serves as a component of a
larger wildlife corridor as described in the Northern Dakota County Greenway and as part of
the Metro Wildlife Corridors Project The property is identified as containing important natural
areas and the City of Rosemount's Parks, Trails and Open Space Plan has a nature -based
park planned in the vicinity of the Wiklund property
This project was a shining example of how a strong partnership of state, county, and local
governments, private landowners, and non profits can work together toward the common
goal of protecting important natural areas for current and future generations
SUMMARY
Staff is recommending the City Council approve participating in the purchase of the
conservation easement on the 25 15 acres owned by Aina Wiklund at 12110 Bacardi Avenue
The City would be responsible for funding $100,000 towards the purchase $50,000 would
come from the City's Park Improvement Fund and $50,000 from a DNR Remediation Fund
Grant the City is receiving
2
(Above Space is Reserved for Recording Information)
DRAFT
CONSERVATION EASEMENT
THIS CONSERVATION EASEMENT is made this day of
20_, by and between Aina Wiklund, Grantor, and the STATE OF MINNESOTA, a sovereign
body, Grantee.
BACKGROUND
I Grantor is the owner of real property, "Protected Property in Dakota County,
Minnesota, which is described in Exhibit A The Protected Property is approximately 25 acres in
size
2 Portions of the Protected Property were formerly agricultural fields, however there
are important ecological and aesthetic values and restoration opportunities associated with this
property.
3. The natural, scenic, and ecological qualities and forested, and open space
character "Conservation Values of the Protected Property are set forth in the Property Report
dated 20_, which the parties acknowledge accurately represents the
present condition of the Protected Property. Each of the parties has a copy of the
Property Report. The Grantees intend to use the Property Report as the basis for momtonng
subsequent uses of the Protected Property and enforcing the terms of this
Conservation Easement Notwithstanding this, the parties may use all other relevant evidence to
establish the present condition of the Protected Property in the event of a disagreement as to
whether a subsequent activity or use is consistent with the terms of this Conservation Easement
4. The State of Minnesota is qualified to acquire and hold conservation easements
under Section 170(h)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, any amendments and any
regulations promulgated thereunder and under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 84C and 84 64.
5 The Legislature of the State of Minnesota (hereinafter "Legislature") authorizes
the State of Minnesota and counties thereof, as well as nonprofit organizations, to preserve,
acquire or hold lands for open -space uses, which specifically include farmland, wetlands, native
or restored prairie, or lands deemed critical to protecting soil, water quality, and enhancing fish
Page 1 of 12
and wildlife habitat; and that actions pursuant to these purposes are for the public health, safety,
and general welfare of the citizens of the State of Minnesota and for the promotion of sound land
development by preserving suitable open spaces.
6 The Legislature has declared that public open -space benefits result from the
protection and conservation of natural areas including the protection of scenic areas for public
visual enjoyment from public rights -of -way, that the conservation and protection of restored
natural areas as valued natural and ecological resources provide needed open spaces for clean air
as well as for aesthetic purposes; and that public benefit will result from the conservation,
protection, development and improvement of restored natural areas
7. Grantee, through its Department of Natural Resources, shall protect in perpetuity,
natural areas and ecologically significant land for aesthetic, scientific, and educational purposes
and pursuant to the terms of this Conservation Easement
8 Grantee has declared that the preservation of open -space is vital to the public
interest of the State of Minnesota through its economic, environmental, cultural and scenic
benefits
9 Grantee agrees by acquiring this grant of easement to honor and defend the
intentions of Grantor stated herein and to preserve and protect in perpetuity the open -space values
of the Protected Property for the benefit of this generation and the generations to come
10. Grantor desires and intends that the open -space character of the Protected Property
be preserved, protected and maintained in perpetuity
11. Grantor desires and intends to place restrictions upon the use of the
Protected Property and by executing this Conservation Easement, Grantor creates a conservation
easement, on, over and across the Protected Property and grants affirmative rights to ensure the
preservation of the natural elements and values of the Protected Property and to protect and
maintain its native plant communities and native animal populations
12 Grantor intends to convey to Grantee the right to protect the ecological values of
the Protected Property in perpetuity and to prevent or to remedy activities or uses that are
inconsistent with the terms of the Conservation Easement.
CONVEYANCE
NOW, THEREFORE, the Grantor, in consideration of the sum
DOLLARS to it/them in hand paid by the said Grantee, the receipt whereof is hereby
acknowledged, and pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Chapter 84C and Section 84 64, and other
applicable Minnesota laws, does hereby grant and convey to the Grantee, its successors and
assigns, forever, a Conservation Easement in perpetuity over the Protected Property subject to the
following rights and restrictions.
Page 2 of 12
AFFIRMATIVE RIGHTS
The Grantor conveys to the Grantee and their successors and assigns the following rights
1 The right to enforce by proceedings, at law or in equity, the covenants contained in
this Conservation Easement This right shall include, but shall not be limited to,
the right to bring an action in any court of competent jurisdiction to enforce the
terms of this Conservation Easement, to require the restoration of the
Protected Property to its prior or more natural condition, to enjoin such
non compliance by temporary or permanent injunction, and to recover any
damages arising from such non compliance Such damages, when recovered, may
be applied by the Grantee, in their discretion, to corrective action on the
Protected Property, if necessary if such court determines that the Grantor has
failed to comply with this Conservation Easement or the Natural Resource
Management Plan, Grantor shall reimburse Grantee for any reasonable costs of
enforcement, including costs of restoration, court costs, and reasonable attorney's
fees, in addition to any other payments ordered by such court
2. If the Grantee becomes aware of an event or circumstance of non compliance with
the terms and conditions set forth in this Conservation Easement, the Grantee shall
give written notice to the Grantor, its successors or assigns, at the address set forth
below, of such event or circumstance of non compliance and restore the Protected
Property to its previous condition Failure by the Grantor, its successors or assigns,
to cause discontinuance, abatement or such other corrective action as may be
requested by the Grantees within thirty (30) days after receipt of notice, shall
entitle Grantee to bring an action as authorized in this Conservation Easement
3, The Grantee does not waive or forfeit the right to take action as may be necessary
to insure compliance with the covenants and purposes of this
Conservation Easement on the Protected Property by any failure to act, Grantor
waives any defense of ]aches with respect to any delay by the Grantee in acting to
enforce any of the provisions or exercise any rights under this
Conservation Easement
4 Nothing in this Conservation Easement shall be construed to entitle the Grantee to
institute any enforcement proceeding against the Grantor for any changes to the
Protected Property due to causes beyond the Grantor's control, such as changes
caused by fire, flood, storm, civil authorities undertaking emergency action or third
parties not under the control or supervision of, or not acting with the consent of,
the Grantor
5 The right of designated representatives of the Grantee to enter the
Protected Property in a reasonable manner to conduct monitoring, management
evaluations and activities and determine easement compliance is recognized The
Grantee shall give reasonable prior notice to Grantor of all such entries and shall
not unreasonably interfere with Grantor's use and quiet enjoyment of the Protected
Page 3 of 12
Property Each party agrees that it will be responsible for its own acts and the
results thereof and shall not be responsible for the acts of the other party and the
results thereof Each party therefore agrees that it will assume all risk and liability
for itself, its agents or employees for any injury to persons or property resulting in
any manner from the conduct of its own operations and operations of its agents or
employees under this agreement, and for any loss, cost, damage, or expense
resulting at any time from failure to exercise proper precautions, of or by itself or
its own agents or its own employees The State's liability shall be governed by the
provisions the Minnesota Tort Claims Act, Minn Stat. 3 736, and other
applicable law The liability of the Grantor shall be governed by the provisions the
Minnesota Municipal Liability Tort Act, Minn Stat 466.04, and other applicable
law
6. The Grantee, in addition to other remedies, shall have the right to report any
environmental concerns or conditions or any actual or potential violations of any
environmental or other laws to appropriate regulatory or law enforcement agencies.
The Grantee shall notify the Grantor at the same time it notifies any appropriate
authority notified pursuant to this section
RESERVED RIGHTS
1. Grantor reserves for the Grantor and its successors and assigns, all rights as owner
of the Protected Property, except the right to undertake any activities which are
expressly and specifically prohibited by this Conservation Easement or which are
inconsistent with or detrimental to the protective purposes of this
Conservation Easement.
2 Grantor agrees to notify the Grantee, in writing, before exercising any reserved
right which may have an adverse impact on the natural characteristics or ecological
and aesthetic features of the Protected Property protected by this Conservation
Easement
COVENANTS
IN FURTHERANCE of the foregoing affirmative rights, Grantor intends that rights under
this Conservation Easement conveyed to the Grantee on behalf of the public shall continue to
exist in perpetuity. Grantor makes the following covenants on behalf of the Grantor, its
successors and assigns, which covenants shall run with and bind the Protected Property in
perpetuity
Management Plan
1 All natural resource management practices on the Protected Property including
implementation shall be in accordance with the "Natural Area Management Plan
for Ama Ticklund Site" dated (Management Plan). The
Management Plan may be revised or modified by written agreement of the Grantor
and Grantee Grantor and Grantee will retain a copy of the Management Plan.
Page 4 of 12
Residential, Commercial and Industrial Uses
2 Grantor shall not subdivide, either legally or physically, the Protected Property for
any reason without the prior written approval of the Grantee
3 No development rights in or to the Protected Property, or any part thereof which
have been encumbered or extinguished by this Conservation Easement shall be
transferred to any location outside the Protected Property, whether pursuant to a
cluster development plan or any other agreement or plan for transferable
development rights
4 There shall be no residential, industrial, or commercial activity undertaken or
allowed except for normal maintenance and upgrades to existing structures and
within the footprint of existing structures as provided for in the Management Plan
With the exception of storm water conveyance, no right of passage across or upon
the Protected Property shall be allowed or granted, if that right of passage is used
in conjunction with residential, industrial, or commercial activity, except for the
existing private gravel road, which may continue to be utilized and maintained
within the existing footprint.
5. No portion of the protected property shall be used to satisfy land area requirements
for other pioperty not subject to this Conservation Easement for purposes of
calculating building density, lot coverage, or open space under otherwise
applicable laws, regulations, or ordinances controlling land use
Construction
6 There shall be no construction or placing of any house, garage, barn, mobile home,
or other buildings on the Protected Property except for normal maintenance and
upgrades to existing structures within their existing footprints, and any other
exceptions specifically allowed in the Management Plan There shall be no
construction or installation of poles, antenna, lights, towers, water tower, utility
lines, piping, and any other temporary or permanent structures on the Protected
Property except for those structures required for storm water management and for
repair or replacement of existing well and septic system There shall be no
construction or installation of roads or parking lots of asphalt, bituminous, gravel,
concrete or other materials on the Protected Property except for maintenance
and/or upgrade of the existing private gravel road, which may continue to be
utilized and maintained within the existing footprint
There shall be no permanent or temporary fencing except as specifically allowed in
the Management Plan
Recreational Use
7. There shall be no trails established or maintained on the Protected Property except
for those specifically allowed in the Management Plan
Page 5 of 12
8. There shall be no operation of snowmobiles, dune buggies, motorcycles, all- terrain
vehicles, or any other types of motorized vehicles on the Protected Property except
for administrative, emergency, and management purposes
Surface Alteration
9. The commercial extraction of minerals by surface mining and the extraction and
removal of topsoil from the Protected Property is prolubited. The extraction of
subsurface of deep ruined minerals from the Protected Property, including natural
gas and oil, and the noncommercial extraction of minerals, including limestone,
shale, gravel, sand and other minerals is prohibited
10 There shall be no change of the topography of the Protected Property in any
manner except as reasonably required in the course of activities or uses in
accordance with the Management Plan
Waste Removal
11 Use of the Protected Property for dumping, storage, processing or landfill of solid
or hazardous wastes generated is prohibited, including, without limitation,
municipal sewage sludge and/or bio- solids application
Signs
12 Commercial signs, billboards, and outdoor advertising structures may not be
displayed on the Protected Property However, information srgnage is permitted,
subject to the following conditions The combined area of any signs may not
exceed fifty (50) square feet, and the srgnage is limited to the following purposes.
a Displaying the name of the Protected Property,
b. Announcing the existence of this Conservation Easement,
C. Providing interpretive and directional information,
d. Providing the name and address of the Grantor and Grantee;
e Delineating the boundaries of the Protected Property in order to prohibit
trespass or non- perimtted activities;
f. Providing information with regard to on -site uses and activities pernutted
by this easement which approval will not be unreasonably withheld,
conditioned or delayed
For all signs permitted by this paragraph, the location, number, size and design must not
significantly diminish the natural and scenic qualities of the Protected Property.
Trees, Shrubs and Vegetation
14. There shall be no removal, destroying, burning, cutting, mowing or altering of
trees, shrubs, and other vegetation except that existing lawns and gardens may be
maintained, and activities to prevent or control insects, noxious weeds, invasive
species, diseases, personal injury, or property damage and/or enhance wildlife
habitat or restore native biological communities are allowed in accordance with
the Management Plan
Page 6 of 12
Pesticides and Herbicides
15. There shall be no application of pesticides or herbicides on the Protected Property
except those that are necessary as part of approved agricultural use and
management practices specified within the Management Plan
Animals
16. There shall be no livestock, feedlots, domestic or non native animals permitted on
the Protected Property of the Protected Property in accordance with the
Management Plan
Agricultural Use
17 There shall be no tilling or plowing or use of the Protected Property for
commercial cultivation of crops unless specifically allowed in the Management
Plan as a vegetation management tool during phased ecological restoration
Exotic Species Introduction
18. There shall be no plant or animal species introduced on the Protected Property
except those native species that are consistent with the protective purposes of this
Conservation Easement and consistent with the Management Plan
GENERAL PROVISIONS
1. This Conservation Easement shall run with and burden the Protected Property in
perpetuity and shall bind and inure to the benefit of the Grantor, it's successors and assigns, and
any and all other successors to it in interest and the Grantee, their successors and assigns
2 Grantor shall pay all taxes and assessments levied against the Protected Property
including any taxes or assessments levied against the interest of the Grantee established by this
Conservation Easement The Grantee may, but is not obligated to, make any payment of taxes or
assessments levied against the Protected Property or the interest established by this
Conservation Easement and shall have a right of reimbursement against Grantor etc. for such
amounts
3 The Grantor agrees that the terms, conditions, restrictions, and purposes of this
Conservation Easement will be referenced by the Grantor in any subsequent deed or other legal
instrument by which the Grantor transfers or divests the Grantor of all or any part of the Grantor's
interest in the Protected Property, and that the Grantor etc will give the Grantee written notice of
any such transfer within fifteen (15) days after closing
Page 7 of 12
4 Any notice required in this Conservation Easement shall be sent by certified mail, return
receipt requested, to the following addresses or such address as may be subsequently specified by
notice in writing, and the Parry of Record at the address of record in the Ramsey County
Recorder's Office
Grantee Grantor
State of Minnesota
Department of Natural Resources
Metro Regional Administration
1200 Wainer Road
St Paul, MN 55104
5. if any provision of this Conservation Easement or the application thereof to any
person or circumstance is found to be invalid, the remainder of the provisions of this
Conservation Easement and the application of such provisions to persons or circumstances other
than those as to which it is found to be invalid shall be affected thereby
6 This Conservation Easement shall be govemed by the laws of the State of
Minnesota.
7 The terms "Grantor" and "Grantee" as used in this Conservation Easement shall be
deemed to include with respect to Grantor, its successors and assigns. and with respect to the
Grantee, its successors and assigns
8 The Grantee may assign or transfer this Conservation Easement and the rights
conveyed herein, provided that (1) the Grantee requires, as a condition of such transfer, that the
original conservation purposes of this Conservation Easement continue to be carried out in
perpetuity, and (2) any assignment 1s made only to an organization qualified to acquire or hold a
conservation easement at the time of the transfer under the provisions of Section 170(h)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as it may be amended from time to time, and any regulations
promulgated there under This Conservation Easement is fully valid and enforceable by any
assignee or successor of the Grantee, whether assigned in whole or in part
9. The Grantor's and Grantee's rights and obligations under this
Conservation Easement terminate upon transfer or termination of their respective interest in the
easement or the Protected Property provided that any liability for acts or omissions occurring prior
to the transfer or termination will survive that transfer or termination Nothing in this paragraph is
deemed to alter or amend the remaining terms of the conservation easement in the event of a
transfer of interest.
10. This Conservation Easement may be amended only in the event of unanticipated
circumstances not specifically addressed by tlus Conservation easement and only in the sole and
exclusive judgment of the grantee that such an amendment. 1) furthers the purpose of this
Conservation Easement, u) 1s not inconsistent with and will not adversely impact the conservation
values protected by this Conservation Easement, iii) does not affect the perpetual duration of the
Conservation Easement, or iv) does not affect the validity of the Conservation Easement under
Minnesota law.
Page 8 of 12
11 If circumstances arise in the future such as to render the purposes of this easement
impossible to accomplish, this Easement can only be terminated or extinguished, whether in
whole or in part, by judicial proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction or by agreement
executed by the parties, their successors or assigns.
12 Each party agrees that it will be responsible for its own acts and the results
therefore and will not be responsible for the acts of the other party and the result thereof Each
party therefore agrees that it will assume all risk and liability for itself, its agents or employees for
an injury to persons or property resulting in any manner from the conduct of its own operations
and operations of its agents or employees under this agreement, and for any loss, costs, damage, or
expense resulting at any time from failure to exercise proper precautions, of or by itself or its
agents or its own employees The State's liability will be governed by the provisions of the
Minnesota Tort Claims Act, Minnesota Statute 3 736 and other applicable law
13 The Grantor retains all responsibilities and shall bear all costs and liabilities of any
kind related to the ownership, operation and maintenance of the Protected Property
14 The Grantor agrees that the conveyance of the perpetual Conservation Easement
gives rise to a property right, immediately vested in the Grantee, with the fair market value that is
at least equal to the proportionate value that the Conservation Easement, at the time of the
conveyance, bears to the value of Protected Property as a whole at that time The proportionate
value of the Grantee's property rights will remain constant
15. This Conservation Easement may be terminated or extinguished, whether in whole
or in part, by judicial proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction or by written agreement
executed by both parties, their successors or assigns If a subsequent unexpected change in the
conditions of or surrounding the Protected Property makes it impossible or impractical for the
continued use of the Protected Property for conservation purposes described herein, and if the
restrictions of this Conservation Easement are extinguished, in whole or in part, by judicial
proceedings, upon the sale, exchange or involuntary conversion of the Protected Property, the
Grantee will be entitled to a portion of the proceeds at least equal to the proportionate value of the
Conservation Easement cited in the preceding provision The proportionate value of the Grantee's
property rights will remain constant
16. On its own behalf and as attorney-in-fact for the Grantee, the Grantor may execute,
acknowledge, and record or file any instruments necessary to assure the perpetual enforceability of
this Conservation Easement
17. Dakota County shall hold a third -party right of enforcement as defined in Minn Stat
sec 84C 01 (3) In the event that the State of Minnesota fails to enforce any terms of this
Conservation Easement, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners, and their successors and
assigns shall have the right to enforce the terms of this Conservation Easement through any and
all authorities available under state law, including but not limited to Minn. Stat sec 84C 03 In
consideration of the financial contribution received in relation to acquisition of this Conservation
Page 9 of 12
Easement, the State of Minnesota agrees to offer to assign all rights, title, or interests of this
Conservation Easement to Dakota County prior to termination, transfer, or otherwise divesting
itself of any rights, title, or interests of this Conservation Easement to another party.
18 This document sets forth the entire agreement of the parties with respect to this
Conservation Easement and supercedes all prior discussions or understandings
IN
CORPORATION NAME
Its
STATE OF MINNESOTA
ss.
COUNTY OF
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this day of
20_, by and its
and on behalf of
a corporation under the laws of the state of Minnesota,
Grantors.
Notary Public
NOTARIAL STAMP OR SEAL.
Page 10 of 12
STATE OF MINNESOTA
ss
COUNTY OF RAMSEY
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this day of
20_, by JAMES E LAWLER, Assistant Director of the Division of
Lands and Minerals, Department of Natural Resources, on behalf of the State of Minnesota
Notary Public
This instrument was drafted by
DULCIE M BRAND
Assistant Attorney General
445 Minnesota St, #900
St Paul, MN 55101 -2127
Page 11 of 12
Exhibit A
Legal Description of Protected Property
The South 50 rods of the NW 1/4 of the NEl /4, Section 16, Township115 N, Range 19W, City of
Rosemount
Page 12 of 12
Proposed final draft
NATURAL AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Prepared for.
Anna Wnklund
12110 Bacardi Ave
Rosemount, MN 55068
TI 15N, R19W, WNE Section 16
Rosemount, Dakota County, Minnesota
Metro Greenways Program
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
1200 Wanner Road
St Paul, MN 55106
Rosemount Parks and Recreation
13885 South Robert Trail
Rosemount, MN 55068 -3438
Dakota County Farmland and Natural Area Program
Office of Planning
14955 Galaxie Avenue
Apple Valley, MN 55124
Prepared by
Tom Lewanski and Karen Schik
Friends of the Mississippi River
46 East Fourth St, Suite 606
St Paul. MN 55101
Ph 651- 222 -2193
December 16, 2004
This Natural Area Management Plan has been reviewed and approved
by:
Ms Ama Wiklund date,
Dan Schultz, City of Rosemount
Kate Drewry, DNR
Al Singer, Dakota County date
2
Table of Contents
This Natural Area Management Plan has been reviewed and approved by
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
INTRODUCTION
SITE DESCRIPTION AND HISTORY
Location and Local Context
Geology and Soils
Historic Plant Communities
Historic and Present Land Use of the Wiklund Property
SITE INVENTORY
Methodology
Community Descriptions
Oak Woodland brushland
Hayfield
Buildings and Lawn
Ecological concerns
MANAGEMENTPLAN
Home Site
Management Goals
Management Activities Residence Tract of the Home Site
Management Activities Natural Area Tract of the Home Site
CITY OF Rosemount Wildlife Preserve
Management Goals
Management Activities Oak Woodland Brushland 11 acres
Management Activities Hayfield 5 0 acres
Restoration and Management Techniques
Brush and Tree Removal.
Planting and Seeding
Prescribed Burning (Rx Burns)
Monitoring
Management Activities
CONTRACTORS AND CONSULTANTS
INFORMATION SOURCES
Figure l
Site Location
Figure 2
Soil Types
Figure 3
Pre- settlement Vegetation
Figure 4
Existing MLCCS Land Cover
Figure 5
Land Management Restoration
Appendix A Plant Species Lists for Woodland and Savanna Restoration
Appendix B DNR Conservation Easement
2
4
7
9
9
9
10
11
12
12
12
12
14
14
14
15
15
15
15
16
17
17
17
19
20
20
21
21
22
23
24
25
3
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In 2000, Ms Ama Wiklund attended the public meetings held as part of the planning phase of
Dakota County's Farmland and Natural Areas Project Based what she heard at these meetings,
Ms Wiklund thought the program might be a good way for her to achieve her goal of
permanently protectin her property Thus began a series of meetings between Ms Wiklund, her
attorney, and the other project partners The Wiklund property provides important wildlife
habitat and serves as a component of a larger w ildlife corridor as described in the Northern
Dakota County Greenway and as part of the Metro Wildlife Corridors Project In addition, the
Dakota County Farmland and Natural Area Program identified the property as containing
important natural areas and the City of Rosemount's comprehensive plan has a nature -based park
planned in the vicinity of the Wiklund property
The project, which w ill be referred to as "the property", consists of 26 acres, located in the
northern part of the City of Rosemount The entire property is protected by a conservation
easement that the Department of Natural Resources holds The southern 16 (approximate) acres
of the property will be owned by the City of Rosemount and will be referred to as the "City
Wildlife Presern e" vhi]e Ms Wiklund owns the northern 10 (approximate) acres, which ti ill be
referred as the "Home Site This Natural Area Management Plan focuses on the following two
aspects of managing the property
A plan for restoring, enhancing, and managing the existing natural areas on the entire
property
Guidelines for land use on the entire property
Prior to European settlement of the Rosemount area, the property was likely covered by oak
savanna and at least one wetland About a third of the property was converted to agricultural use
and a home site was established Today, the property contains about 16 3 acres of oak woodland
brushland, approximately 7 acres of hayfield, and 2 7 acres of buildings, lawn, and gardens This
document will describe the plan for enhancing the ecological health of the oak woodland
brushland and restoring the hayfield to prairie In addition, the document will describe what
activities are allowable on the City Wildlife Preserve and Home Site portions of the property
Landowners Ama Wrklund
12110 Bacardi Ave
Rosemount, MN 55068
651- 423 -2762
City of Rosemount
and c/o Dan Schultz
13885 South Robert Trail
Rosemount, MN 55068 -3438
651- 332 -6012
Conservation Easement held by: MNDNR, Metro Greenways Program c/o Kate Drewry, 1200
Warner Road, St Paul, MN 55106 with a protection clause for Dakota County
Property location Tl l5N, R19W, NWNE Section 16
Rosemount, Dakota County, Minnesota
Parcel size 26 acres
9
Existing and Pro posed Land Cover Changes at Wiklund Pro ert
Existing Land
Cover
Total
Acres
Proposed Land
Cover
Home
site ac
city
Wildlife
Preserve
ac
Total
ac
Hayfield
7
Mesic Prairie
2
5
7
Oak Woodland
brushland
includes wetlands
16.3
Oak Woodland-
brushland
4.6
7.5
12.1
Oak savanna
0.7
3.5
4.2
Buildings/ lawn
area
2.7
Buildings/ lawn
area
1.2
1.2
Oak Woodland
brushland
1.5
1.5
Total
26
10
16
26
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
There were many people and several organizations that worked closely together to permanently
protect the Wiklund property This project was a shining example of how a strong partnership of
state, county, and local governments, private landowners, and non profits can work together
toward the common goal of protecting important natural areas for current and future generations.
A special thank you is extended to Ms Ama Wiklund for her vision and commitment to
protecting and improving the natural qualities of her property Her faith and trust in the partners
was an important component of the success of the project Ms Wiklund has a strong land ethic
and she is a role model for other landowners Her actions will benefit the plants, wildlife, and
area citizens for many, many years Mr Barry Fernald, Ms Wiklund's attorney, also played an
important part in the project His guidance and vision for the project were crucial in keeping the
project on track and headed in the right direction His sage advice demonstrated that a private
citizen landowner can "do well while doing good."
Gratitude is specifically extended to Ross Sublett and Kate Drewry of the Metro Greenways
Program at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Al Singer of Dakota County's
Farmland and Natural Areas Program, Dan Schultz and Tom Schustei of the City of Rosemount,
and Karen Schik and Tom Lewanski of Friends of the Mississippi RiN er Each person's
expertise and experience made the project not only possible but enjoyable as well
Funding for this project was provided by the Metro Greenways Program at the Minnesota
Department of Natural Resources, the Dakota County Farmland and Natural Area Program, the
City of Rosemount, and Ms Ama Wiklund Thank you to the SKB Foundation for providing
funding for the development of this management plan
C7.
INTRODUCTION
This report presents the site analysis and management plan for the Wiklund Property within the
City of Rosemount The property, at the time this document was developed, included
approximately 16 3 acres of oak woodland brushland that includes a wetland, approximately 7
acres of hayfield, while the remaining 2 7 acres consists of buildings and associated manicured
lawn and gardens
The property has two components A Wildlife Preserve and the Home Site The Wildlife
Preserve will be owned by the City of Rosemount and will be managed as a natural area The
Home Site is owned by Ms Ama Wiklund and consists of two tracts The residence tract
contains the home and corresponding yard, gardens, and outbuildings The natural area tract of
the Home Site will be managed as a natural area
The Minnesota DNR holds a conservation easement over the entire property Dakota County is a
written party to the easement
This Site Inventory and Management Plan were developed to
Identify the existing condition of natural communities on the property,
Identify management and restoration goals and target natural communities,
Enhance the wildlife habitat value of the property,
Document allowable uses and activities of the property
This Site Inventory and Management Plan details management and restoration activities for the
oak woodland brushland and for the hayfield This document and its management plan can be
changed only by written agreement by both the landowners and easement holders
Management Goals for the Property:
Improve its wildlife habitat value,
Improve its ecological health and role in the Northern Dakota County Greenway /Wildlife
Corridor that links Lebanon Hills Regional Park with the Mississippi River at the Pine
Bend Bluffs Natural Area,
Restore the 7 -acre hayfield to native prairie,
Maintain and enhance the quality of the wetlands,
Improve the health of the existing 16 3 -acre oak woodland brushland;
Serve as a model for responsible land stewardship,
Pro-Y ide educational opportunities for area residents that are compatible with sustaining
natural community function and mtegrtty,
Provide for the safety and privacy of the resident of the Home Site,
Utilize this property to guide construction and surface water management activities on
adjacent land (if developed) in a mariner that protects and fosters natural community
establishment,
Utilize this property to guide the City of Rosemount in future park acquisition and
dedication associated with development on adjacent land to enhance and expand the
ecological functions of the property and of the corresponding wildlife corndor /greenway
7
Public Use Of The Property
The property consists of two distinct areas A City Wildlife Preserve owned and managed by the
City of Rosemount comprises the southern 16 acres, while the northern 10 acres is privately
owned
The City Wildlife Preserve will provide the public restricted nature observation for educational
purposes, but is not meant for recreational activities There will be no developed trails,
restrooms, or other constructed facilities Pets are not permitted Any activity that degrades or
damages the resources air, water, soil, plants, animals, and rocks is not allowed
The Home Site is privately owned and there is no public access or use except by permission of
the owner
R
SITE DESCRIPTION AND HISTORY
Location and Local Context
The 26 -acre Wiklund property is located about 13 miles south of St Paul in the northwest corner
of the City of Rosemount (Figure 1) The area is primarily agricultural, but the rural character
around the Wiklund property is quickly being transformed as farmland is converted to housing
developments The Wiklund property is now juxtaposed with high density residential
developments of two suburban communities An Eagan neighborhood is less than 1 /8` mile to
the northwest, residential development is taking place, within a mile, north of the property, and
Apple Valley communities lie 3 miles to the west In addition, the 40 -acre farm directly west of
Wiklund was recently sold and is slated for high density residential development Large lot
homes occupy the adjacent land north of Wiklund
The adjacent property on the east, however, retains 80 acres of oak woodland and wetland and
the adjacent property to the south is 20 acres, part wooded and part hayfield These and other
nearby areas, including the Wiklund property, are part of a natural greenway corridor identified
in the Northern Dakota County Greenway (Figure 1) (Dakota County SWCD 2002) Most of this
adjoining woodland w as identified as having high biodiversity significance by the Department of
Natural Resources (DNR) It is hoped that permanent protection can be obtained for these other
remaining properties to retain a continuous greenway corridor that will network across the
county
Geology and Soils
Glaciers were the primary force that shaped the present -day landscape of the Twin Cities
metropolitan area and detennined the existing soil types, which, in turn, strongly affected the
types of plant communities that developed Glacial activity carved the landscape of the region,
worked and re- woiked the land surface, and deposited tremendous amounts of till and outwash
Soils at the Wiklund property primarily formed on glacial deposits left by the Superior lobe,
which advanced and retreated several times in the late Wisconsin period, 30,000 to 14,000 years
ago (Hobbs, Aronow and Patterson 1990) Outwash from the glacier consisted of gravel and
sand, and w as or erlam by till, consisting of sandy loam, with cobbles and boulders
The loamy soils that formed on the Wiklund property reflect the character of the glacial deposits
(Figure 2) Kingsley sandy loam (soil type 342B, 3% to 8% slope) covers most of the site (Soil
Conservation Service 1983) About a quarter of the existing hayfield is 27913, Otterholt silt loans
(1 to 6% slope) A small area of the woodland is classified as 1824 Quam silt loam, ponded
Kingsley sandy loam typically has about 8 inches of black sandy loam at the surface, 4 inches of
sand in the subsurface, and 26 inches of sandy loam in the subsoil It has moderate permeability,
moderate available water capacity, and runoff is characterized as medium Organic matter
content is moderate Erosion is a concern on cultivated soils, but can be controlled by nnmmum
tillage The soil can be droughty
Otterholt soils are found on side slopes and broad hill- crests on end moraines The surface,
subsurface, and subsoil are all sandy loam, to a depth of about 35 inches The soil has moderate
permeability, high available water capacity, and medium runoff Organic matter content is
moderate The soil is very susceptible to erosion when cultivated
The topography at the Wiklund property is mostly gently sloping from northwest to southeast
The elevation drops 50 feet from 970 feet above sea level to 920 feet The lowest areas in the
east/southeast are ponded
Historic Plant Communities
Minnesota can be divided into three major biomes or ecological regions, wluch correspond to
major climate zones in North America prairie in the west and southwest part of the state,
deciduous forest extending northwest to southeast, and coniferous forest in the northeast While
these eco- regions still exist, they have been greatly altered since the time of European settlement
m the mid- 1800's Land surveyors who surveyed the state between 1847 and 1907 recorded the
plants they encountered at each section comer These records were later compiled and now
provide an image of the pre settlement vegetation The metropolitan region falls within the
deciduous forest zone, but includes multiple plant communities Dakota County was primarily
tallgrass prairie (Figure 3), which was concentrated on level to gently rolling portions of the
landscape Oak savanna was also very abundant, especially on rolling moraine ndges Oak
forest and maple- basswood forest w ere restricted to the portions of the landscape with the
greatest fire protection, either in steep, dissected ravines or where stream orientation reduced fire
frequency or seventy (DNR 2000)
The Wiklund property falls within the "Oak Openings and Barrens" pre settlement plant
community (Figure 3) Today this is often referred to as oak savanna, though it also includes
areas that were more densely vegetated with shrubby oaks Oak savanna is commonly described
as prairie grassland with scattered oak trees or small clusters of oaks Today we can recognize
historic savanna communities, even if they now appear to be woodland, by the presence of old
oak trees with wide, spreading branches evidence of their establishment in a very open habitat
Such trees (bur oaks) can be found in the woodland at the Wiklund property Some are quite
large, about 24 inches in diameter
Figure 3 also shows prairie and big woods communities located near the Wiklund property The
map is a generalization and it is likely that these plant community types could have occurred on
the Wiklund property as well Mesic prairie (also referred to as tallgrass prairie) occurs on
moderately well drained to well drained fine sandy loams with abundant organic matter
Typical mesic prairie grasses are big bluestem, Indiangrass and prairie dropseed, with little
bluestem, side -oats grama, and porcupine grass occurring on drier sites Typical forbs (flowering
plants) include purple prairie clover, rough blazing star, stiff goldenrod, Canada goldenrod,
smooth aster, heath aster, flowering spurge, stiff sunflower, white sage, heart- leaved alexander,
alum -root, northern bedstraw, and bergamot
10
Fire was historically the most important natural process in the region, strongly influencing plant
community patterns Prairie persisted in part because regular fires prevented woody species
from becoming established Likewise, oak savanna communities were maintained because
mature oak trees are fire resistant, but the seedlings and other woody plants are not Tornadoes
and high wind events also created significant disturbances and periodic flooding influenced
changes in river and stream valleys These disturbances were a dynamic part of the landscape,
influencing the formation and persistence of particular plant communities
Most of Twin Cities metropolitan region was developed for agricultural use, which dominated
the landscape after European settlement in the mid- 1850's Natural areas that remained,
especially prairie and savanna, hay e been significantly altered by fire suppression since the time
of European settlement Most of those areas have now grown into w oodlands, and most are
invaded by exotic shrubs Few prairie remnants remain and trees and shrubs continually encroach
upon unmanaged prairies
According to the Department of Natural Resources County Biological Survey, only about 2 6
percent of the high quality, native plant communities remained in the Dakota County in 1997
Urban development in the county has increased rapidly in recent years and the growth rate is
expected to continue at a very high pace This growth will continue to expand into farniland and
natural areas, so natural resource preservation and restoration are particularly important at the
present time
Historic and Present Land Use of the Wiklund Property
Ms Wiklund has owned the property for about 45 years The existing 7 -acre hayfield (which
will be restored to nati e prairie in 2004) was formerly planted in corn or soybeans A small area
northwest of the house w as formerly used as a sheep pasture Otherwise, the property has not
been gi azed or cultivated in the last 30 years The woodland and possibly other parts of the
property were probably grazed in the past, as indicated by remaining barbed wise fence The
general character of the woods also indicates historic grazing, with an abundance of gooseberry,
currant, raspberry and prickly ash, which increase with grazing
Current land use activities at the property are minimal The landowner continues some
maintenance activities such as mowing around the house The site is otherwise left alone for
wildlife use
11
SITE INVENTORY
Methodology
In 2003, a prairie stewardship plan was developed for the Wiklund property, which included an
assessment and vegetation survey of the woodland Information from that survey, conducted in
May and June 2003, provided some of the vegetation data for this document Additional survey
work was completed in April 2004 to further define the extent of the exotic shrub coverage
All inventory work was based upon the Minnesota Land Cover Classification System MLCCS),
developed by the MN Department of Natural Resources (2001) The land cover classification
w as modified slightly based on the field survey
Community Descriptions
The 26 -acre property is located in what was historically primarily oak woodland brushland, or
what is commonly referred to as savanna today Some of the land was cleared long ago for
agriculture and the remaining savanna has grown in and succeeded to woodland The property
now has three primary land co er types, shown in Figure 4 and summarized below
Land cover
Acres
Oak wood land brushland
163
(includes wetland)
Hayfield
7
Buildings and lawn
27
Total
26
Oak Woodland -b rush land
MLCCS 42120
The oak woodland occupies the eastern half and southern edge of the property The terrain
slopes gently to the southeast (10% slope) and terminates in ponded areas at the lowest part The
woodland is dominated by bur and white oak, some of which are about 24 inches in diameter
(Table 1) Quaking aspen, boxelder, American elm, green ash, and black cherry are also present
None of these species are as large as the oaks and range from about 8 inches to 12 inches in
diameter The oaks, therefore, likely matured in a more open habitat In the absence of fire or
other disturbance, other tree species became established over time Today the canopy cover is
about 70 percent The shrub layer is fairly dense, with about 50 to 70 percent canopy coverage
Common buckthorn is the most abundant shrub species It is fairly dense throughout the site and
consists of either closely spaced, small diameter saplings (less than 1 inch diameter) or larger
diameter (2 to 6 inches), more w idely spaced shrubs On average, the stems are mostly Ito 2
inches Density is considered to be high (on a scale of very high, high, moderate, and low)
throughout the site, though there are small areas of lower density
Gooseberry is the most common native shrub species, forming dense stands in some areas,
especially where the canopy is more open Few other native shrub species can be observed
12
Tartanan honeysuckle, a non native invasive species, is present though not abundant Sapling
trees of ironwood, hack and black walnut are also present in the shrub layer The ground
cover is fairly low diversity, with Pennsylvania sedge, false lily of the valley, rue anemone, and
wild geranium most common The large number of fallen trees and abundance of gooseberry
shrubs impeded travel throughout the woodland
TABLE 1. Woodland Vegetation at Wiklund Property.
Plant species recorded by FMR In May 2003
Exotic Family
Scientific name
Common Name
Abundance Comments
Groundlayer
Corylusamencana
American hazelnut ___P
Populus tremuloides
Forbs
Juglans nigra
Black walnut
R
Ranunculaceae
Anemone qumquefolia
wood anemone
P
Ranunculaceae
Anemonella thatictroides rue anemone
P
E Asteraceae
Archum minus
common burdock
R
_Araceae __Ansaema
tnphyllum
Jack -m- the pulpit
P_
Polypodiaceae
Athrynum fdrx-femina
lady fern
P
Rubiaceae
Galium apanne
cleavers
P
Geramaceae
Geranium maculatum
wild geranium
C
_Ranunculaceae
Isopyrum biternatum__
false rue anemone
C
uiaceae
Maianthemum
false lily of the valley
C
Violaceae
Viola sp
yellow violet
P
Violaceae
Viola sp
blue violet __P
Liliaceae
Uvulana grandiflora
large flowered bellwort
R
Lihaceae
Uvulana sessibfolia
sessile bellwort
P
Balsammaceae
Impatiens capensis
touch -me -not
P
Graminoids
Cyperaceae
Carex pensylvanica
Pennsylvania sedge
C
E Graminaceae
Phalans arundinaceae
reed canary grass
P Largepatch by pond
Trees and shrubs
Aceraceae
Acernegundo
boxelder
P
Ulumaceae
Collis ocadentalis
Hackberry
R
Vitaceae
Parthenoassus mserta
Virginia creeper
P
Roseaceae
Prunus serohna
black cherry
P
Capnfohaceae
Sambucus pubens
Red berried elder
R
Shrub Midstory Laver -70% cover
E
E
Ulumaceae
Celtis ocadentalis
Hackberry
P
Betulaceae
Corylusamencana
American hazelnut ___P
Populus tremuloides
Juglandaceae
Juglans nigra
Black walnut
R
Caprifoliaceae
Lomcera fartanca
Tartanan honeysuckle
P
Betulaceae
Ostrya virgmiana
ironwood
R
Rhamnaceae
Rhamnus cathartica
common buckthorn
A -D
Saxifragaceae
Ribes cynosbati
gooseberry
C -A
Canoov 75% cover
Aceraceae
Acernegundo
boxelder
Oleaceae
Fraxinus pennsytvanica
_Green ash
Salicaceae
Populus tremuloides
quacking aspen
Roseaceae
Prunus serotina
black cherry
Fagaceae
Quercus alba
white oak
Fagaceae
Quercus macrocarpa
Buroak
Fagaceae
Quercus rubra
Red oak
5' dram
Small trees by pond
112 -6" dram Scattered to
dense
P
8" diameter
P
12' (by pond)
8"
P
8 -12"
C
18"
C -D
18 -24"
C
8 -24" (24" by pond)
13
Ulmaceae Ulmus amencana Amencan elm P 10"
Hayfield
MLCCS 23212 Long grasses on upland soils
The hayfield is located on the western part of the property, along Bacardi Avenue This is also
the highest part of the property, and slopes gently (5 percent) to the east It is dominated by non-
native grasses, such as smooth brome and Kentucky bluegrass, with various other species like
white clover and dandelion At the eastern end there is a small patch of small to mid -size trees
(oaks) and brush The field has been hayed for about 10 years The entire area will be restored
to native mesic prairie in 2004 A copy of the prairie stewardship plan developed for the hayfield
can be ie�N ed at Friends of the Mississippi River and the Department of :Natural Resources and
is incorporated herein by reference
Buildings and Lawn
MLCCS 13134 Short grasses and mixed trees with 26 -50% impervious cover
Three buildings are present on the property— a house, a pump house, and a large garage An
area around the buildings is maintained as lawn and garden with scattered trees There is a small
grove of trees west of the house that is dominated by very large and dense buckthorn in the
understory Buckthorn is also present in the area behind (north) of the garage
Ecological concerns
Primary ecological concerns on the property are exotic invasive shrub species especially
common buckthorn and to a much lesser extent, Tartarian honeysuckle Exotic invasive species
are considered by many ecologists to be the single greatest threat to the integrity of our natural
areas These species are very aggressive and impede the growth of native species They
eventually form dense, impenetrable thickets, replacing native species that are more valuable for
wildlife and for ecosystem diversity Buckthorn berries actually have a laxatry e effect, resulting
in a negative value for birds that eat them Some birds species try to nest in the shrubs, but the
location is not appiopnate and studies have shoe n that fewer fledglings are produced than in
native shrub species
14
MANAGEMENT PLAN
Home Site
The Home Site is defined as the northerly 10 acres of the property There is no expectation of
public access or use other than by permission from the landowner The Home Site is subdivided,
for management purposes, into the residence tract and the natural area tract The residence tract
of the Home Site (1 2 acres) contains the home and corresponding commons area, while the
natural area tract (8 8 acres) makes up the rest of the Home Site
Management Goals
Allow everyday activities normally associated with the enjoyment and maintenance of
the home and its corresponding yard,
Prevent possible negative impacts to the natural areas on the Home Site and the City
Wildlife Preserve from the pursuit of the normal ev eryday activities associated w ith the
enjoyment and maintenance of the home and its corresponding yard,
Improve the ecological health of the natural community (oak woodland brushland,
prairie),
Protect the native trees on the Home Site,
Prevent encroachment of activities associated with the enjoyment and maintenance of the
home and its corresponding yard into the natural communities of the natural area tract of
the Home Site and the City Wildlife Preserve
Management Activities Residence Tract of the Home Site
The residence tract of the Home Site is that part of the site that contains the home, garage,
outbuildings, and the surrounding commons area This tract is defined as the rectangle of land
immediately surrounding the home and outbuildings with dimensions of 264 feet wide by 156
feet long, including the 420 foot long by 25 feet wide drivew ay (approximately 1 2 acres See
Figure 5) Generally, the landowner will hav e the ability to utilize and manage this tract as it has
historically been treated The following section outlines allow able and prohibited activities for
specific issues related to the use and management of this area
Existing buildings The existing buildings and structures as described and identified in
Attachment B can receive normal maintenance and upgrades No new or additional buildings or
construction, outside of the existing building footprints as detailed in Attachment B will be
allowed Furthermore, existing buildings must stay at the gross floor square feet that existed at
the time the conservation easement was acquired and recorded The existing access and driveway
must remain a pervious surface roadway and the landowner may use normal methods to maintain
it (snow plow ing, grading, addition of supplemental gravel, etc The well and septic systems
may be upgiaded, maintained, reconstructed, and or relocated as needed within the residence
tract
Gardening and landscaping All normal yard maintenance and grass mowing is allowed
Gardening and landscaping are allowed No cutting of native trees greater than 3" DBH, without
written consent of the DNR, is allowed However, if all or a portion of a tree is threatening an
existing building or the safety of the landowner or visitors, the tree or a portion thereof may be
15
City Of Rosemount Wildlife Preserve
The City Wildlife Preserve portion of the property is comprised of 16 acres and is owned by the
City of Rosemount It will have restricted nature observation for educational purposes and will
be managed as a natural area
Management Goals
Restore ecological functions to natural areas
Improve the value of the wildlife habitat
Restore portions of the site to pre- settlement plant communities
Management Activities Oak Woodland- Brushland: 11 acres
Tareet Plant Communities Oak Woodland Bnishland and Dry Oak Savanna
Historically, the woodland was likely a savanna community While the woodland could be
restored to savanna by fairly intensive tree removal, burning, and seeding, it would be quite
expensive and would take many years of concerted effort, and many more years of sustained
management It would likely be in the best interest of the landowner to manage and maintain the
area as woodland and restore some smaller areas to savanna (Figure 5) This approach would also
maximize overall site biodrversity
The target plant community, therefore, for most of the oak woodland brushland (about 8 acres)
will be oak woodland- brushland Oak wood land-brushland is typically associated with dry oak
forest, dry oak savanna, and dry praine It is structurally and floristically mtennediate between
oak forest and oak savanna (DNR 2000) The canopy is patchy and the understory is dominated
by tree saplings and shrubs Forests with open -grown oaks surrounded by younger trees are also
included in this classification
Bur oak, norther pin oak, white oak, and red oak are typical canopy dominants Aspen,
however, may comprise up to 70 percent of the cover The shrub layer maybe sparse or dense
and is often patchy It tends to be very diverse, with hazelnuts, blackberry, raspberry,
gooseberries, dogwoods, cherries, and prickly ash The ground layer is poor except in open
areas, where prairie and savanna species dominate
This plant community is maintained by fire and was historically probably the dominant
community type in the Twin Cities metropolitan area In the absence of fire it succeeds to dense,
scrubby oak forest Few oak woodland- brushlands remain in the region Most are overgrown
with scattered large bur oaks surrounded by pin oaks, as well as paper birch, basswood, black
cherry, and quaking aspen and a scrubby understory
At the Wiklund property, simply removing exotic species and allowing the woodland to follow a
natural succession to oak forest is the most economical management track Prescribed burning
would aid in the effort to restore the native plant species composition
17
removed to alleviate threatening conditions or safety concerns Non native trees, regardless of
size maybe removed The landowner will plant only native trees and shrubs in the residence
tract of the Home Site Any herbaceous plant used in landscaping and/or gardening should be
non- invasive The landowner is encouraged to contact Friends of the Mississippi River or the
Department of Natural Resources for guidance with these issues The landowner may erect signs
designating that the Home Site is private property
Management Activities Natural Area Tract of the Home Site
The Natural Area tract surrounds the residence tract within the Home Site and comprises three
distinct management areas
Oak Woodland- Brush land This natural community, designated with the color brown on
Figure 5, makes up the 6 1 acres (approximate) of the Home Site
Prairie This management area, designated with the color yellow on Figure 5, makes up
approximately 2 acres In 2004 it was restored to native prairie
Oak savanna This natural community is designated with the color orange on figure 5
and is approximately 0 7 acre in size It is presently oak woodland brushland
The management activities are identical to those recommended for the City Wildlife Preserve
portion of the property Refer to the following section on the City of Rosemount's Wildlife
Preserve in this document, for details on management activities for the Natural Area Tract of the
Home Site The management of the natural areas on the Home Site is the responsibility of the
landowner However, the landowner will cooi dmate with the DNR and City of Rosemount,
which is responsible for management activities on the City Wildlife Preserve portion of the
property An economy of scale can be gained if the property is managed as one unit
Special management and use exceptions
The 1 8 -acres (approximate) on the western edge of the eastern natural area tract (The area
immediately north, south, and east of the residence tract) has historically been used by the
landowner for a garden(s) and mowed grass walking paths These nearly 2 acres will be
managed in the same manner as the rest of the oak N oodland- brushland in the tract, with the
following exceptions
The landowner will be allowed to maintain a vegetable /flower garden on a quarter 25)
acre of land that is directly east of the house The landowner should use the same
precautions described for gardening and landscaping in the residence tract
The landowner will be allowed to mow the path(s) that has been historically mowed The
path will remain grass and no other surface (examples gravel, asphalt, cement) will be
allowed
16
3 5 acres of the oak woodland, located in the southwest corner of the property, could be restored
to oak savanna Dry oak savanna, hill subtype, occurs on glacial till on fine to medium textured
loams The MN DNR (1993) describes dry (hill) oak savanna as follows "Occurrences are
concentrated along the ecotone between prairie and deciduous forest -w oodland zones and tend to
be small Bur oak and northern pin oak are the major oak species The most common shrubs are
chokecherries, wolfhemes, and smooth sumacs Leadplant is always present The density of the
shrub layer is highly variable The herbaceous vegetation of open areas between trees is
essentially the same as that of the hill subtype of dry prairie The subtype succeeds to woodland
almost as rapidly as mesic oak savanna except on the steepest, droughtiest slopes Therefore,
few examples remain
Restoration methods for woodland and savanna are described in the next section of this
document
Control exotic plant species
Controlling exotic shrubs is the imperative first step toward improving the oak woodland habitat
Common buckthorn is pervasive throughout the site and will require intensive effort for several
years The first year of management should focus on removing the largest plants (anything over
about 1 5 inches), w hrch are producing fruit Smaller plants can be removed simultaneously, if
time and budget permit, or in subsequent years, but before plants reach maturity Honeysuckle,
though not abundant, should also be removed Removal and disposal methods are described in
the next section of this document
Re- establish native woodland plant species
After buckthorn is removed from the woodland, there is likely to be a flush of buckthorn
seedlings in the following years While the long -term goal is to establish a groundcover and
shrub layer of native species, it will be necessary to control exotic seedlings before seeding or
planting native plants A seedbank of native plants may also persist in the soil, so monitoring the
site condition will be especially useful in the first few years after removing buckthorn
Once the exotic species are under control, the site can be seeded, preferably in the fall, with
native woodland species (Appendix A) Nativ e woodland shrubs, such as hazelnut, gray
dogwood, American plum, musclewood, and nannyberry will be most effectively established by
installing plants, rather than seed Bare -root plants are most economical
Restore dry oak savanna
An excellent opportunity for savanna restoration would be the wooded area on the west side of
the property, south of the prairie restoration The restoration area could go as far east as the
existing sumac stand, an area of about 3 5 acres The area has large scattered oaks, about 18 to
24 -inch size, surrounded by an abundance of small aspen, oaks and other trees Restoring these
areas w ould piovide a nice transition from prairie to savanna to woodland, while providing a
wonderful example of these three plant communities in one location Oak savanna, in particular,
is a rare community and it is important to retain some examples of it in the landscape
m
Savanna restoration would consist of removing small trees and brush to create a canopy of
primarily consisting of oak trees with coverage of 10 to 30 percent A groundcover of savanna
species (Appendix A) would be re- established by seeding The cut trees could likely be
harvested for firewood or for fuel (e g District Energy in St Paul) The woodland area north of
the prairie on the Home Site could be restored to savanna at the same time for cost and time
efficiency
The small woodland island within the prairie itself should also be removed and restored to
prairie, leaving a few oak trees Likewise, all of the woodland edge should be thinned out
somewhat to create a more natural transition between prairie and woodland That edge and all
savanna areas should be included as part of the prescribed bums that will be conducted on the
prairie
Maintenance and Monitonne
On- going, long -tcrm maintenance should consist of annually monitoring the site, removing
exotic species and recording any other ecological concerns Once the existing exotic plants are
gone, maintenance should not be very intensive The primary importance is to remove exotic
plants before they set seed and most of the woody species take several years to produce fruit
The site should also be monitored annually for other exotic species not currently found there
Garlic mustard, for example, is a very aggressive biennial plant commonly found in w oodlands
in the metropolitan area The site should be surveyed in May for garlic mustard and any plants
should be promptly removed before they flower and set seed in June
The recovery of the site should also be evaluated to determine if a good complement of native
species are being established In addition, oak woodlands historically experienced occasional
fires, and it would be beneficial to conduct prescribed burning of the woodland Fire would be
especially beneficial for removing buckthorn seedlings, which are difficult to control because
they are so small and numerous Factors that may limit burning are inadequate fuel, inadequate
bum breaks (since the adjacent properties are also wooded), and the likelihood of nearby high
density housing in the future Nevertheless prescibed burning should be considered in the
future since it is such a valuable management tool The development of firebreaks is allowed.
Management Activities Hayfield: 5.0 acres
Restore to mesic prairie
A prairie restoration plan is already underway for the entire 7 -acre hayfield, and will be installed
in Fall 2004.
Maintenance
Planned maintenance for the prairie consists of periodic mowing the first year (2005) and
mowing or burning in the second year (2006) After that, landowners will take on maintenance
activities Historically, tallgrass prairie in this part of the state burned as frequently as every year
Typically, however, prairies are now managed by burning every two years Regular burning will
control shrubs and weeds, while restoring nutrients to the soils and invigorating native plants
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Restoration and Management Techniques
Brush and Tree Removal
The most efficient way to remove buckthorn, honeysuckle and other woody plants is to cut the
stems close to the ground and treat the cut stumps immediately with a 10% glyphosate solution
(e g Roundup) Rodeo, a glyphosate herbicide suitable for aquatic habitats, should not be used
within 50 feet of ponded areas Failure to treat the stumps will result in resprouting, creating
much greater removal difficulty Late fall or winter is the best time for removal because
buckthorn retains its leaves longer than other species and is more easily identified At that time
of yeas buckthorn is also moving resources from the leaves to the roots, so when chemicals are
applied to the cut stumps they are taken deep into the roots and produce a more effective kill
Most other woody plants are also most effectively cut and treated in fall or winter If cut in
winter, the snow around each stem must be pushed away so the stems can be cut low to the
ground High stems should be avoided because herbicide treatment is less effective and they
create a physical tripping hazard
Other woody plant removal methods are hand pulling (only useful on seedlings) and weed-
wrenching (using a weed wrench tool to pull stems of 2 inches or more in diameter) Both
methods can be done anytime of year as long as the soil is moist and not frozen The
disadvantage to both methods is that they are somewhat time consuming as the dirt from each
stem should be shaken off Weed wrenching can also detrimental because it creates a great deal
of soil disturbance Existing desirable plants may be removed in the process and the soil
disturbance creates opportunities for weed germination This method is probably best used in
areas that have v cry little desirable native plant cover
Brush can be disposed of in several ways Some relatively small brush piles can be left in the
woods as wildlife cover In areas of low density, small stems can be scattered on the ground to
decompose How ever, the vast majority of the brush at this site should be removed or burned,
since there is so much It could either be stacked into piles in open areas and burned in the
winter, or taken out of the woods, chipped up, and hauled away
The year after buckthorn is cut there will be a flush of new growth as the seeds in the soil
germinate This will produce a crop of seedlings that are much too small to cut The easiest way
to deal with these is to bum the site If that is not possible, seedlings can be sprayed with a 10%
glyphosate solution It is imperative that herbicide is only applied in late fall when other plant
species are dormant Treating seedlings is probably the easiest means of control, but, seedlings
could also be left for several years until they are large enough to be pulled or cut more easily
The plants will thin themselves out over time so many fewer will be present The plants must be
controlled before they start producing seed, generally within 5 years
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Planting and Seeding
All seed and plant material used at the Wtklund property should be of Minnesota origin, ideally
within 50 miles of the site, but no more than 175 miles Nurseries should provide seed/plant
origin information
Seeding herbaceous woodland plants should not be done until the buckthorn (including new
seedlings that germinate after shrub remov al) has been adequately controlled Buckthorn control
may take two frill seasons or more The ideal time to seed the woodland areas is in the fall The
cold and damp conditions of winter will naturally break the seed dormancy
Seed can be hand broadcast in the woodland, since the seeding areas will be fairly small and
scattered and not conducive to using equipment Seed germination is generally improved by
raking it into the soil Raking is not absolutely necessary However, if seed is broadcasted in late
fall, just before snowfall, the freeze /thaw cycles of winter will effectively work the seed into the
ground Raking will likely be unfeasible at this site due to the presence of existing vegetation
Normal seeding rates for a woodland restoration are about 8 lbs of seed per acre Because there
is existing vegetation at this site, a seeding rate of about 4 lbs per acre would likely be adequate
and the entire site will not need seeding Actual rates should be evaluated when seeding areas are
determined
Tree and shrub material is most cost effective when purchased bare root Bare root material also
has good survivorship One disadvantage to bare root is that there is a small window of time in
which to plant it Plants are generally shipped at the end of April and should be planted within a
week or two Planting can be done fairly quickly by using tree planting bars rather than by
digging Volunteers could be recruited to get community involvement Potted plants are
significantly more expensive, and more tine- consuming to install, but can be planted throughout
the growing season (though it is best to avoid the hottest months) If some plant material is not
available as bare root, potted plants could be considered
If groundcover species are seeded in the fall, trees and shrubs can be installed the following
spring or in subsequent years, as budget permits The amount of plant material needed will
depend on the planting space available Generally shrubs can be planted about five feet apart
The target shrub coverage in the woodland can be about 40 to 60 percent
Prescribed Burning (Roc Burns)
Natn e plant communities such as savanna, praine and oak woodland are adapted to fire
Regular use ofRx burns provides important ecological functions, such as recycling nutrients,
improved plant vigor, and improved flovti enng and seed production Simultaneously, fire is an
excellent way to control exotic and woody species
The timing of Rx burns depends on the desired outcomes Most burning is conducted in the
spring because burn conditions are generally safest and late spring bums are good for controlling
non native grasses Fall burrs tend to increase flowering plant species, but leave a site
susceptible to erosion and devoid of vv inter wildlife cov or
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All Rx burns should be conducted by an experienced, professional burn crew A burn plan
should be developed and bum permits must be obtained for all burning. including brush piles
Neighbors should be notified of the burn event at least a day or two prior
Monitoring
Monitoring is a vital component of any habitat restoration project Monitoring tasks typically
involve conducting simple surveys to document pertinent features, such as exotic shrub
coverage Basic measurements are recorded, mapped, and photographed from established
locations Survey results provide quantitative information on changes over time, and help
identify if management is achieving its intended goals Adaptive management, the corollary to
monitoring, incorporates monitoring results into future management actions
Monitoring should be done annually, preferably at the same time each year It need not be
intensive or time- consuming, but at should a minimum should consist of a walk through
vegetation survey and photo-monitoring The vegetation survey should identify and map
locations of exotic herbaceous plants For pervasive species, such as buckthorn. observational
notes should be made on whether there has been any increase or decrease of target plant species,
and whether any management action is needed It is important to map locations of exotics (GPS),
even if they will be removed, because a seed bank likely exists there and new plants may
continue to emerge
Photo monitoring is simply taking photographs each year from established locations to have
visual documentation of changes overtime Photo points should be mapped and numbered on an
aerial photograph It is beneficial to mark photo points in the field (e g with surveyor flagging)
and it is recommended that at least one permanent point be established and marked with a metal
post Each photograph should indicate the direction from which it v as taken, and important
observations from the image Photos should be taken at approximately the same time each year
It is also useful to consider the characteristics of the plant species that are being monitored
Garlic mustard, for example is best photographed when it blooms in May, whereas buckthorn is
most visible in fall. when it still has leaves, but other plants don't
It is important to develop a plan for controlling exotics as they are discovered Garlic mustard
can reproduce explosively within lust two years Buckthorn plants do not produce seed for
several years, and up to 10 years if it is in the shade, but seed can remain viable in the soil for
five years and new seed is continuously introduced into an area
Besides plants, other commonly measured biota are bird, insect, and amphibian populations At
the Wiklund site, notes should be made of animals or animal signs observed dunng each site
visit
The City of Rosemount is responsible for monitoring the Wildlife Preserve portion of the
property and will assist the DNR m enforcing the terms of the easement and management plan
The management monitoring could be coordinated with DNR easement monitoring
Mosquito Control
Generally, routine control of nuisance mosquitoes is not allowed on lands subject to the
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conservation easement However, with prior approval, the DNR will allow control operations for
disease vectoring mosquito in cases where the Department of Health determines that such
mosquitoes pose human health risks The DNR must approve mosquito control plans or make
modifications as deemed necessary for the protection of natural resources, before control
operations are started
Management Activities
Rough estimates for management activities are provided below, based on similar work conducted
in other areas Actual costs will depend on bids received from contractors
Priority
Season,
Activity
Estimated cost
Year
A
Fa111w inter
Cut and treat exotic shrubs (19 ac) haul, chip burn All
$600 to $1100 per
Year 2
areas except grassland
acre
A
Fall (Oct)
Foltar application of herbicide to buckthorn seedlings,
Year 2
small saplings May need to spray in Fall, YT 3, too
(19 ac)
A
Fall
After buckthorn and seedlings have been controlled,
$2 000 to $2,500
Year 2 or 3
seed open areas of woodland with native seed (portions
per acre
of 12 ac)
A
Spring
Plant native shrubs and trees (approximately $100-
$4,000 to $6,000
Year 3 or 4
$200 /ac) to replace buckthorn on —12 acres
(whole site)
$1.500 to $2,000
A
Spring
Conduct Rx bum on restored prairie
Year 3
A
Spring
Conduct Rx bum on restored prairie
$2,500 to $3,000
Year 5
A
Spring
Conduct Rx burn on restored prairie (Rx bums should
$3,000 to $3 500
Year 7
be conducted every 2 to 4 years beyond this schedule,
dependui on needs of raine)
B
Fall /winter
Remove undesirable trees from two savanna areas north
$2,400 to $3,000
Year 3
and south of prairie Remove small patch of trees from
per acre
within prairie
B
Year 4
Prepare soil m savanna areas (8 2 ac) re -seed with
$4,000 to $4,500
savannaspecies
B
Year 6
Conduct Rx bum on restored savanna
$2,500 to $3,000
C
Fall /Winter
Thin trees along entire w oodland edge to create better
$400 to $700 per
Year 3
transition between praine and woodland
acre
C
Spring Conduct Rx burn of woodland (13 2 ac)
$6 000 to $10,000
Year 2 or 3
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CONTRACTORS AND CONSULTANTS
Friends of the Mississippi River would like to offer its services to provide on -going
management of the project, coordinating restoration and management work, follow -up
site visits and evaluation, and contractor negotiations
The following is a short list of possible consultants and contractors for implementing the
management plans This is not a complete list, but does include ecologists who are
familiar with natural resource management Unless otherwise noted, all firms do
prescribed burning Those marked with and may also do buckthom/brush removal.
Many other brush remov al companies are listed in the yellow pages under tree care
Applied Ecological Services, Inc
Doug Mensmg
Edina, MN
952- 925 -3359
North American Prairies Company
111754 Jarvis Ave NW
Annandale, MN 55302
320 274 -5316
*Great Rn er Greening
35 West Water St, Suite 201
St Paul, MN 55107
651- 665 -9500
*Natural Resources Restoration Inc
Craig Andresen
2013 Walnut St NW
New Brighton, MN 55112
651- 636 -3462
Outback Nursery, Inc
Erik Olsen
Hastings, MN
651- 438 -2771
Prairie Restorations, Inc
John Pauly
Cannon Falls, MN
507- 663 -1091
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INFORMATION SOURCES
Hobbs, H C, S Aronow, and C J Patterson 1990 Surficial Geology in Geologic Atlas
Dakota County, Minnesota University of Minnesota, St Paul
Marschner, F J 1974 The Original Vegetation of Minnesota Map compiled from U S
General Land Office survey notes U S Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment
Station, St Paul
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 1997 Natural communities and rare
species of Dakota County Minnesota County Biological Survey Map Series No 1
1993 Minnesota Native Vegetation A key to natural communities Version 15
Natural Heritage Program. St Paul, MN
2000 Ecological Classification System Oak Savannah
http /www dm state inn us /ebin/ecs
2001 Minnesota Land Cover Classification System
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Section of Ecological Services, Scientific
and Natural Areas Program 2000 Going Native a prairie restoration handbook for
Minnesota landowners St Paul, MN
Mossler, J.H 1990 Bedrock Geology in. Geologic Atlas Dakota County, Minnesota-
University of Minnesota, St Paul
NatureServe An online encyclopedia of life [N eb application] 2001 Version 15
Arlington, Virginia, USA Association for Biodrversrty Information Available
http -/wvin natureseti e org/ (Accessed September 17. 2001
Packard, S and C F Mutel, editors 1997 The tallgrass restoration handbook for
prairies, savannas, and woodlands Society for Ecological Restoration Island Press,
Washington, D C
Prairie Moon Nursery 2002 2002 Catalog and Cultural Guide Native plants and seed
for wetland_ prairie, savanna and v oodland Winona, MN
Shirley, S 1994 Restoring the Tallgrass Prairie an illustrated manual for Iowa and the
upper midwest University of Iowa Press, Iowa City
Soil Conservation Service 1983 Soil Survey of Dakota County Minnesota United
States Department of Agriculture
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Wovcha, D S B C Delaney, G E Nordquist 1995 Minnesota's St Croix River valley
and Anoka sandplam a guide to native habitats University of Mimiesota Press,
Minneapolis /London
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