Rapids Lake Education and Visitor Center
Phone: 952-854-5900 |
 Photo Credit - FWS |
Oak Savanna, one of the rarest and most threatened habitats in the Midwest, is being restored on the Refuge. Restoration techniques include selective cutting and prescribed burning. To measure the effectiveness of these restoration techniques, the Refuge Biologist monitors vegetative changes over time.
The Refuge is currently restoring oak savanna habitat on the Louisville Swamp Unit. Unwanted woody vegetation, mainly trees that are not oaks are removed. After the plants are removed the area is burned for several years to stimulate the growth of native grasses and forbs. It may take at least 20 years for the full complement of native plant species to recover. Years of fire suppression and grazing have allowed many invasive and successional species to take over the savanna.
As part of our Oak Savanna restoration on the Rapids Lake Unit, cedar trees are being removed. After tree removal, the areas will be burned to stimulate growth of native grasses and forbs.
