Woodland Dunes Riparian Forest Restoration is a large-scale project funded through the United States Forest Service’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
One of the greatest threats to our forested ridges and swales at Woodland Dunes is the loss of ash trees caused by an invasive insect: the emerald ash borer. The focus of our Riparian Forest Restoration project is to mitigate the impact of ash tree loss in our preserve by planting a diverse mix of native trees and shrubs. This project also includes the building of a one-acre deer exclosure by the north entrance of Conifer Trail. The exclusion of deer browse, with some additional invasive species control, will allow for natural regeneration of native understory shrubs. The exclosure also offers superior protection for other native tree species we will plant to succeed the ash canopy. In 2024 our interns, staff, and volunteers planted 850 native trees and shrubs in a 4-acre riparian area connecting to the West Twin River north of our Goldenrod Loop. In 2025, we are slated to plant an additional 1600 trees in the swale and ridge complexes south of Conifer Trail and within our one-acre deer exclosure.
Hemlock-Hardwood Understory Enhancement for Rusty-Patched Bumblebee Habitat Project is another project funded through the United States Forest Service’s Great Lake Restoration Initiative.
The Rusty-Patched Bumblebee is an endangered species that finds its home within our preserve. This project, which is slated to begin in 2025, will enhance the understory of a mature mesic woodland bordering restored prairie, which is a preferred habitat of this endangered species. Our project will be achieved by removing the woody invasives present on site, constructing a nine-acre deer exclosure to prevent deer browse and by planting a diverse range of woodland wildflowers to provide nectar sources throughout the growing season.
Forked Aster Ridge Restoration Project is a small-scale project funded through the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin’s C.D. Besadny Conservation Grants. With this project, interns and volunteers will push back encroaching invasive species along a ridge and swale where the rare Midwest endemic plant, Forked Aster (Eurybia furcata), is growing.
Forked Aster’s rarity is due to habitat fragmentation, habitat degradation, and because individual plants are self-incompatible. This means that Forked Aster cannot produce viable seed from pollination between closely related individuals. As a result, this project also involves propagating Forked Aster from other nearby populations. If successful, seedlings will be transplanted to our butterfly garden, where we can closely monitor their growth and establish a pioneering population for education as well as future restoration efforts.
Forget Me Not Creek Restoration Project (2021 until present)
This project is an amazing undertaking to re-meanader Forget Me Not Creek on the Dunes preserve. This piece of ground was in agricualture for many years before being restored to a wetland and now our next restorative action is to re-meanander the stream, provide in stream structures, re-connect the stream to wetland systems and improve water quality. The current condition of the “stream” is that of a staightened, incised ditch that continues to provide only very poor quality habitat.
The project involves partnerships and funding from many sources. Without the aid of many partners, we would not be able to restore it with the integrity of a more natural system. Below are the contributors to date and also include are The West Foundation, Donald and Brenda DeBruyn, Phyllis Schippers and Timothy Maatman, The Kallies Foundation, Louise Trickel and Rae Gutschow-In Memory of Ernst Gutschow:
Please check back on this site in the next couple months for current status of the project.