PRECM 09-07-1983 - Laserfiche WebLink

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~. Long Lake Regional Park Advisory Board Minutes Meeting. of August 17, 1983: Edgewood Communitg Center, Room 207 Members Present: Mark Anderson,. Pat Commers, Ellen Dahl, Ken Johnson, John Schultz Members Absent: JoAnn.Knuth, Nito Quitevis Staff Liaison: Ken Simons, Ramsey County Others Present: Ron Bowen, Prairie Restorations ,; In c., Princeton, MN 1. The meeting was called to order by chairman Schultz at 8;05 p.m. 2. Minutes of the July 20, 1983 meeting were approved as received.. 3, Ken. Simons referred the Board to the. reference to Prairie in the Master Plan, which occurs on page TX-17. The formal prairie area is proposed to be adjacent to Rush Lake, with partial prairie areas suggested for the areas by the proposed day camp and large picnic area. Ron Bowen had been invited to the meeting to explain to the Board. the concept of Prairie Restoration. His company has submitted a . plan to Ramsey County to restore the areas mentioned above. The first step in the process is to determine the natural vegetation of an area. This is done by researching the natural growth prior to the removal of fire from the ecosystem. Originally, the Long Lake site was an oak savannagh, with pin and burr oak, prairie under scattered trees. Less than 50% cover was evident, with thickets and - patches interspersed with open areas. Once natural vegetation is determined, the site is prepared f`or restoration. This includes ridding the area of herbaceous material:,, baring the soil, and seeding. Prairie Restorations grows much of its own seed stock, using Minnesota materials. A brochure was distributed to illustrate some of the materials which are commonly used. Attention need be paid to soil conditions, land slope, etc., so that appropriate materials are planted to maximize growing conditions. The planting process includes not only seed (12-15 species are available),. but hand-set plants. Prairie Restorations has many of them;-there should be about 180 species. Once planted, there is a requirement for ongoing management/maintenance of prairie areas. At least 2-3 years are required before very obvious results will be evident. This process means that good public relations need be forthcoming so that residents will not be concerned- at spending money for planting when they see no immediate results. By the third year, the restored area should be showing good development. That is when the process of controlled burning should begin. The reason for the burning is to control weed species, balance trees,. and it is good for the prairie flowers and grasses. Burns would be in the spring for the next 2-3 years, then on an alternating year basis.