Roads, ditches and development, in general, can leave an impact on wildlife habitat.
Such is the case in northeast Minnesota where such activity disrupted what was historically a fire-maintained landscape – leaving behind overly thick brush not so palatable for elk and other species.
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation supplied 2022-23 funding to help the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources do something about it.
Crews used tractors and skid steers to set back succession across 321 acres of brushland habitat where either prescribed fire cannot be used or where long-time wet conditions eliminated fine fuels altogether.
The treatment technique depended on frost conditions, snow depth and brush size with a goal to regenerate woody browse during the winter months and stimulate the growth of grasses and forbs during the growing season in Minnesota’s elk range, specifically to benefit the Grygla elk herd.
But elk are not the only benefactor. The work also enhances habitat for moose, black bears, whitetail deer, sharp-tailed grouse, wild turkey and other wildlife.
RMEF is no stranger to the region. In 1990, it bought an 80-acre parcel and donated it to the DNR as part of the Grygla Wildlife Management Area. And since funded more than two dozen habitat and aerial survey projects in the immediate area.
Restoring elk country is fundamental to RMEF’s mission of ensuring the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat and our hunting heritage.
Since 1984, RMEF helped conserve or enhance nearly 9 million acres of wildlife habitat.