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The Scott
Soil and Water Conservation District will provide 75% cost-share
assistance to landowners, at a maximum of $150 per acre, for native
prairie establishment. The seed must be planned and installed in
accordance with the Natural Resource Conservation Service's technical
standards and specifications. The landowner must maintain the native
prairie cover for a minimum of ten years. All lands
suitable for native prairie establishment that are not already part of a
government easement are eligible for the program.
Landowners accepted into the native
prairie program are responsible for proper maintenance of the cover
established and are subject to periodic inspections.
Maintenance may include, but is not limited to the following:
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Control annual weeds and other
competition the year of establishment, with early and timely clipping
before seed heads appear and/or timely application of herbicides.
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Control all noxious weeds identified
by state and local laws, by; (1) treating with chemicals per label
directions, or (2) spot mow before seed heads form. When possible,
control measures should be avoided between May 1 and August 1, the
primary nesting season for wildlife.
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Haying and grazing are not allowed
within the field under contract.
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Reseed areas that do not eventually
establish adequately.
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Do not use the contract area for
field roads, equipment storage, hay or straw storage, field borders,
disposal of livestock or any other organic waste. As a building site,
or any other uses that would damage or destroy the native prairie
area.
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Use all chemicals according to
label instructions.
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A controlled burn may be
beneficial during the establishment period, or at any time during
the life of the contract, to remove organic build-up, control
invading plant species, or improve plant vigor. Burning should only
be done according to a burning plan carried out by properly trained
and equipped people.
The following is a list of reasons why native prairie
restoration is beneficial to the landscape and wildlife of Scott County:
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The plant species of a native
prairie have become adapted, over thousands of years, to survive
climatic extremes and are well suited to local soil types.
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Native prairie plantings typically
require no fertilization. Fertilization can be an expensive,
time-procedure that can encourage undesirable vegetation.
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Native prairie can be a
water-conserving alternative to traditional lawn. Costs associated
with lawn irrigation, maintenance and chemical applications are
reduced.
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Native prairie species naturally
resist weed invasion more effectively that introduced grasses.
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The extensive fibrous root systems
of native prairies reduce erosion by holding soil and slowing
runoff. Their deep roots also build soil and restore soil health by
opening the subsoil to water percolation and aeration, and
replenishing the soil with organic matter.
Native plant species provide a high-quality habitat
for wildlife. As reclamation projects increase in size and plant
diversity, animal populations will also increase and become more diverse
For further information contact Scott Schneider at
(952)492-5417 or e-mail at sschneider@co.scott.mn.us.
Native
Grass Establisher Vendor List
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