Natural Resources ProjectsGrants1. Integrated Prairie Management: A collaborative project to evaluate effects of fire and grazing on tallgrass prairie vegetation and breeding birds in western Minnesota. A stewardship plan will also be developed in Clay County that will integrate prairie conservation with aggregate mining and reclamation. Cooperators: Greg Cuomo, West Central Research and Outreach Center; Margaret Kuthenreuther, U of MN, Morris; Tim Magnuson, Clay County Planning Commissioner; and Cindy Buttleman, MN D.N.R. Legislative Commission on Minnesota's Resources: $350,000 2. Evaluation of the Bird Conservation Area Concept in the Northern Great Plains. A 4-year collaborative research project to evaluate effects of habitat unit size and nature of adjacent land use on bird density and reproduction. Cooperators: Doug Johnson (Leader), U.S. Geological Survey; and Maiken Winter and Therese Donovan, State University of New York at Syracuse. U.S. Geological Survey: $200,000 3. Demonstration and evaluation project: Echinacea angustifolia as an alternative crop in northwest Minnesota. Agricultural Utilization Research Institute: $5,000 4. Development of an integrated prairie management plan for Mentor Prairie Wildlife Management Area. North American Waterfowl Conservation Act / The Nature Conservancy: $30,000 5. Publication funds for Prairie Chicken Symposium proceedings: Minnesota Prairie Chicken Society - $1,500, Society of Tympanuchus Cupido Pinnatus - $2,000 Texas A & M University - $1,000, Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station - $1,500, and Pembina Trail RC & D Association - $500. 6. Travel grant to attend International Grouse Symposium in September of 1999. Office of International Studies, U of Minnesota, St. Paul. Amount: $600 |