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Healthy Forests Success Story

Cottonwood Restoration Project
Grand River and Cedar River National Grasslands
Dakota Prairie National Grasslands
2007-2009

The Grand River/Cedar River Units of the Dakota Prairie Grasslands (U.S. Forest Service) is successfully partnering in a multiple year effort to accelerate native riparian woody vegetation (primarily cottonwood) restoration; including private lands in Perkins, Harding, Dewey, Corson, Ziebach, and Tri-County Districts in South Dakota.

This project is focused primarily on the enhancement of wildlife habitat, but it also considers watershed restoration and recreational issues. Many species of grassland wildlife rely on woody plant materials for food, shelter, and nesting cover. By re-establishing the historic woody vegetation regimes, wildlife habitat degradation and fragmentation will be diminished. Recreational opportunities for the public are also an important consideration on the grasslands which include bird watching, hunting, berry collection and camping. As expected the reduction of woody vegetation results in negative impacts on recreational opportunities. Lastly, but just as important, is involving local community groups to participate in the planning and establishment of vegetative plots and then communicate our success to the public and relevant local, state and federal agencies within the state.

The core committee has been formed, consisting of the Tatanka RC&D, Grand River Ranger District, National Wild Turkey Federation, South Dakota State University, Perkins County Conservation District, and the South Dakota Department of Agriculture - State and Private Forestry Division.

Site selection has started. Each site is evaluated to designate exactly what type of demonstration is anticipated to work best (fencing, plant material selection, etc.). Cottonwood saplings or cuttings were purchased with planting to begin this spring for the Grand River Ranger District portion of the project. Additional plantings are planned for this fall. Demonstration sites started on the Grand River Ranger District will progress to the Grand, Moreau, and Cheyenne Watersheds in later years of the project. A wide group of volunteers, agency personnel, private landowners, and private organization partners are participating in transplanting cottonwood saplings.

The goal of this multi-year project is to introduce 10 acres of woody vegetation per county on private lands per county and an additional 40 acres on the Grand River National Grassland for a total of 100 to 120 acres of growth.