Managing for the Most: A Landowners Planning and Planting
Guide to Conserving North Dakota's Wildlife Legacy
(continued)
WL-1000, Reviewed and Reprinted March, 1992
Managing
Grasslands For Wildlife
Managing
Woodlands for Wildlife
What to Plant
Managing the
Backyard for Wildlife
North Dakota Wildlife Conservation Programs
Summary
Managing Grasslands For Wildlife
Rangelands by definition include grasslands, shrublands and
open forests. Aside from the obvious uses of rangeland for
grazing livestock, these areas also function as haylands and
valuable wildlife habitat while cleaning our water and enriching
our soil. No matter what the grass management objective, there
are a number of tools currently available, designed with a
knowledge of plant responses in mind, that can help a producer
achieve desired results. Properly managed rangelands sustain
productivity, provide economic returns and supply a host of
wildlife benefits.
With the advent of the Conservation Reserve Program, millions
of acres of marginal cropland have been returned to grasslands.
This massive conversion creates a need for increased awareness of
the management tools available to use this new resource to obtain
benefits for the producer and wildlife alike.
Fire
Landowners maintain the cover they have established as part of
their CRP contract. For more specific information on the use of
fire and assistance in developing a plan, contact one of the
public management agencies listed at the end of this supplement.
Haying
Haying native or prairie grasslands can be either detrimental
or beneficial to wildlife depending on the practices followed.
Haying removes above-ground plant materials and reduces soil
fertility when compared with grazing, where most materials are
returned as manure.
When haying is used as a management option on native
rangeland, it should occur after July 1 and be completed before
July 15. Mowing that occurs later in the growing season over a
period of years alters the vigor and composition of native grass.
Plant food resources are lowered by late summer mowing since any
plant regrowth that occurs must draw on the plant's energy
reserves.
The reduction of plant energy reserves affects the plant's
production potential for next year's growth. In most cases there
is not enough time to manufacture and store additional food
reserves before frost kills the above-ground food-producing green
leaves. Prairies with lowered growth potentials are easy targets
for weed invasion.
Mid-summer haying allows ground-nesting birds such as
pheasant, grouse, etc., to complete nesting undisturbed. The
regrowth that may follow mid-summer haying also provides
important food and cover for many forms of wildlife which depend
on grassland habitats.
Grazing
Grazing management on rangelands is a tool for maintaining or
achieving the kind of vegetation necessary to obtain the desired
livestock and wildlife production. Grazing management requires
controlling the number of animals, selecting the right animal
mix, ensuring proper distribution, and managing seasonal timing
use.
When considering animal numbers or grazing pressure, the
concept of "taking half and leaving half" is an index
to follow. Generally a grass plant will produce about twice the
quantity of leaves it needs to complete its growth. If more than
half a plant is taken, it may affect plant root development.
Studies have revealed when 60 percent of a plants' leaves are
removed, approximately 50 percent of the roots cease to grow.
Achieving proper utilization of grass species will ensure that
sufficient cover will also be available for wildlife such as
deer, which have different food habits than cattle.
Proper utilization of forage will also leave greater amounts
of cover available to ground nesting birds. Proper utilization of
rangeland plant species requires a producer or land manager to
identify current condition of the area, and the rangeland
management objectives. This information will allow for the
development of a grazing plan or selection of a grazing system to
achieve the desired results.
Examples of such plans or systems are rest-rotation grazing,
deferred grazing, short duration grazing and twice-over deferred
rotation grazing. Grazing systems greatest benefit to wildlife
are those that leave adequate cover for nesting and brood rearing
during the critical nesting season (April 1 - June 30).
A system that shows tremendous promise for wildlife and the
producer in the prairie pothole region is the twice-over deferred
rotation system. Under this system, a larger pasture is divided
into three or four smaller pastures. Cattle are allowed to graze
each pasture for 20-28 days, beginning about June 1, and are
rotated through each pasture twice during the grazing season,
giving the producer 156-160 days of on-grass time.
Initial studies conducted on this system indicate that it is
producing significantly more beef and wildlife than adjacent
areas where cattle are allowed to graze freely.
Planting Grasslands for Wildlife Habitat
Lands qualified for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) may
be developed for wildlife, with the cost of development shared by
the administering agency (ASCS). A big part of creating new
wildlife habitat is establishment and maintenance of healthy
stands of seeded grasslands.
The best grass stands result when certain guidelines are
followed. These include: selecting the best type of seed mix, use
of only good quality adapted seeds, a firm seed bed, proper seed
depth, time of seeding, and adequate weed control. If you use a
nurse crop, clip and remove it during early growth stages.
Determining the Right Seed Mixture
Seed mixtures are available for establishing several kinds of
grassland. The general categories of grasses are native and
introduced.
Native grass, although more difficult to establish and usually
more expensive, can be maintained in a vigorous condition longer
without the need for constant rejuvenation. Some varieties of
tall native grass (3-6 feet) are big bluestem, Indiangrass and
switchgrass. Seeding a mixture of these grasses will produce a
tall, dense stand attractive to deer, nesting waterfowl and other
game birds. These grasses do well on lowland areas with good
moisture.
Some examples of mid-height native grasses (2-3 feet) that
provide wildlife habitat are western wheatgrass, green
needle-grass, sideoats grama and little bluestem. These hardy,
drought resistant grasses are well adapted to many areas.
Planting a mixture of introduced grasses and legumes can also
produce stands of tall, dense cover. Grasses and legumes that can
be included in such a mixture are tall wheatgrass, intermediate
wheatgrass, alfalfa, and/or sweet clover. All of these do well on
previously cultivated soils, and this cover supplies excellent
soil building properties by including alfalfa and sweet clover in
the mixture.
No matter what seed mixtures you select, the success of your
planting ultimately depends on soil type, slope, moisture, site
preparation, planting techniques, rates and dates of seeding and
stand maintenance. Here are some points to remember:
- Wait for adequate moisture before planting grass and
legumes. A simple way to determine if the moisture
content is adequate is to form topsoil into a ball with
your hands. If the ball holds its shape, start your
engines.
- Make sure the seedbed is free of weeds. Weed presence is
the number-one reason why plantings fail.
- Soils should be packed firmly enough so that when a
person walks across the seed bed his foot does not sink
into the soil.
- Controlling weeds after the seeded grasses have emerged
is just as important as insuring that the seed bed is
free of weeds prior to planting. Weeds can be controlled
by applying appropriate herbicides once the grass
seedlings have reached 10 inches in height, or by
clipping to a height of 6-8 inches.
How to determine type of seed mix best suited for your
needs
Cost
Seed Mix Site Soil Species Estimate
-----------------------------------------------------------------
grass/legume all sites most soils tall lowest
suitable well-drained wheatgrass
to farming inter.
wheatgrass
alfalfa
tall native lowlands, deep, fine, big bluestem highest
grass bottomlands well-drained Indiangrass
nearly level to moderately switchgrass
plains drained
mid-height uplands, moderately greenneedle mid
native rolling deep, medium- western
grass plains with textured, wheatgrass
moderate to well-drained side-oats
steep slopes grama
----------------------------------------------------------------
(From "Planting Grasslands for Wildlife Habitat" by Mavis I.
Meyer. Copies available through your county extension office or
by writing Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center,
P.O. Box 2096, Jamestown, ND.)
Recommended Rates and Dates of Seeding
---------------------------------------------------------------
Pure Mixed
stand stand
Grass lb/acre lb/acre Dates
---------------------------------------------------------------
Introduced Grasses and Legumes
Tall wheatgrass 11 4.5 before May 15
Intermediate wheatgrass 10 4 or between Aug.10
Alfalfa 4 1 and Sept. 20
Sweetclover 3 0.5
Tall Native Grasses
Big bluestem 11 5 between June 1
Indiangrass 10 3 and June 15
Switchgrass 5 1
Mid-height Native Grasses
Green needlegrass 10 4 before May 15
Western wheatgrass 12 4
Sideoats grams 9 3
Little bluestem 6.7 1
---------------------------------------------------------------
(From "Planting Grasslands for Wildlife Habitat"
by Mavis I. Meyer.)
Managing Woodlands for Wildlife
Almost any tree or shrub will benefit wildlife, but some trees
and shrubs and certain types of tree plantings are more
beneficial than others. Guidelines have been developed by
specialists to assist landowners and land managers in planning
and planting trees for the greatest benefit to the widest variety
of wildlife. In addition, a number of public and private agencies
provide financial assistance to establish, and rejuvenate tree
plantings.
Increased wildlife benefit can be achieved in most tree
plantings by simply adding more fruiting trees, shrubs, and
evergreens, particularly junipers and cedars. The fruiting trees
offer wildlife food while the evergreens offer secure roosting
sites during severe winter storms. Plantings of at least one acre
provide the greatest benefit to wildlife. There are several types
of plantings to consider.
Shelterbelts or Windbreaks
Wide shelterbelts are better than narrow ones. Height is not
as important as ground cover. A shelterbelt that is bare
underneath usually does not attract much wildlife. The preferred
understory is a heavy herbaceous or grassy layer. A well
developed shrub row adjacent to the herbaceous understory tends
to increase bird diversity.
An ideal planting for wildlife has several rows in a
stair-step effect. Dense shrubs planted on the outside prevent
snow from piling in the center of the belt where wildlife seek
protection. Deciduous trees should occupy the center, then cedar
and pine where birds and mammals can seek shelter during severe
winter weather.
If a single row is planted, cedar is an excellent choice. The
two to five rows more common in newer windbreak plantings usually
contain at least two rows of cedar with additional rows of pine,
deciduous trees and/or shrubs.
Travel Lane
Wildlife need to move under cover to seek food, water, or a
different cover type. Travel lanes can provide food and
protection for grouse, pheasants, partridge, and many other
species. Even a single conifer row provides some protection.
Block Planting
Center pivot irrigation leaves many field corners that could
be planted to trees. Block plantings can be used there and in
other odd areas and poor soil sites to check soil erosion and
stabilize blow outs.
Plant larger trees in the center and then progressively
shorter plants toward the sides. This supports the greatest
number and variety of wildlife. Fruit-bearing shrubs make ideal
winter food and cover for wildlife.
In summary, trees and shrubs planted in blocks and rows, or in
combination with rangelands and croplands, work for man and
wildlife year-round. Such plantings hold snow, reduce summer
moisture loss, reduce wind erosion and provide food and cover for
domestic and wild animals.
Deciduous Trees
-------------------------------------------------------------
Growth
Species Requirements Height Planting Use
-------------------------------------------------------------
Amur Maple Most sites 15-20 ft Urban, belts,
odd areas
Crab Apple Most sites, 15-25 ft Urban, odd areas,
sun to belts
partial shade
Hawthorne Moist to dry, 10-15 ft Urban, belts,
sun to shade odd areas,
thickets
Laurel Willow Moist sites, 15-20 ft Urban, belts,
sun thickets
Russian Olive Well-drained 15-25 ft Urban, odd areas,
to dry soil, belts
sun
Green Ash Moist sites 25-50 ft Urban, belts,
odd areas
Hackberry Most sites 30-60 ft Urban, belts,
odd areas
Bur Oak Most sites Up to 50 ft Urban, belts
Norway Poplar Most sites Up to 70 ft Urban, belts
Golden Willow Moist sites 25-50 ft Urban, belts,
odd areas
White Willow Moist sites 25-50 ft Belts, odd areas
Robusta Poplar Moist sites Up to 70 ft Urban, belts
Cottonwood Moist sites, 50 ft + Urban, belts,
lowlands odd areas,
thickets
Boxelder Most sites 25-50 ft Belts, odd areas
Siberian Elm Most sites 25-50 ft Belts, odd areas
Basswood Most sites Up to 60 ft Urban, belts,
odd areas
Mountain Ash Moist to dry 20-35 ft Urban
soil, cool
climate
Paper Birch Cool soil 40 ft Urban
Russian Mulberry Moist sites 25-40 ft Urban
Black Cherry Most sites 10-20 ft Urban, odd areas
-------------------------------------------------------------
Coniferous Trees
-----------------------------------------------------------
Growth
Species Requirements Height Planting Use
-----------------------------------------------------------
Colorado Blue Most sites Up to 60 ft Urban, belts,
Spruce odd areas
Black Hills Most sites Up to 50 ft Urban, belts,
Spruce odd sites
Eastern Red Most sites, 25-40 ft Belts, odd areas
Cedar sunny
Rocky Mountain Dry, sunny 25-40 ft Urban, belts,
Juniper odd areas
Ponderosa Pine Dry 25-50 ft Urban, belts,
odd areas
Scotch Pine Most sites 25-50 ft Urban, belts,
odd areas
-----------------------------------------------------------
Vines
-----------------------------------------------------
Growth Planting
Species Requirements Height Use
-----------------------------------------------------
American Well-drained Climbs to Urban
Bittersweet to dry soil, 25 ft
sun to shade
Wild Grape Most sites, Climbs to Urban
sun to partial 25 ft
shade
Virginia Creeper Most sites, Climbs to Urban
sun to partial 25 ft
shade
-----------------------------------------------------
Small Trees and Shrubs
-----------------------------------------------------------
Growth
Species Requirements Height Planting Use
-----------------------------------------------------------
Caragana Most sites 8-12 ft Belts, odd areas,
travel lanes
Lilac Most sites 10-15 ft Urban, belts, odd
areas, thickets
Buffaloberry Dry 10-15 ft Belts, odd areas,
thickets
Cotoneaster Most sites, 5-10 ft Urban, belts,
sun to partial odd areas
shade
Dogwood Moist to well- 6-12 ft Belts, odd areas
drained
Currant and Most sites, 3-5 ft Urban, belts,
Gooseberries partial shade odd areas
to shade
Woods Rose Most sites 4-6 ft Urban, belts,
thickets,
odd areas
Nanking Cherry Most sites 5-8 ft Urban, belts,
odd areas
Juneberries and Moist sites, 8-12 ft Belts, odd areas,
Serviceberries shade thickets
Chokecherry Most sites 10-15 ft Thickets, belts,
odd areas
Plum Most sites 8 ft + Belts, thickets,
odd areas
Coralberry Most sites 3 ft Urban
American Moist to well- 8-12 ft Urban, odd areas
Highbush drained, sun
Cranberry to light shade
Smooth Sumac Most sites 8-12 ft Urban, belts,
(shrub) thickets,
odd areas
Raspberries Most sites, 3-5 ft Urban
partial shade
to shade
Rugosa Roses Most sites 3-6 ft Urban, belts,
odd areas
-----------------------------------------------------------
Managing the Backyard for Wildlife
By providing food and cover in your backyard, you can bring
wildlife close to you. Following are some simple suggestions on
how to make your backyard attractive to wildlife.
Feeding
Feeding is probably the simplest way to attract wildlife.
Generally most feeding is done in the winter months when natural
foods are unavailable. The simplest type of feeders to dispense a
mixture of oil-type sunflower seeds (50 percent), white proso
millet (35 percent) and finely cracked corn (15 percent) will
attract a wide range of backyard songbirds. More specific
information on feeding birds is available through your county
extension offices.
Nest Boxes
Building and placing nest boxes or shelves in your backyard
can also greatly increase the numbers and kinds of wildlife you
attract. Wood is the best material to use and galvanized nails
should be used to fasten the pieces of a nest box or shelf
together.
Guidelines for Building Nest Boxes
| Species |
Floor
of Cavity (in.) |
Depth
of Cavity (in.) |
Entrance
Above Floor (in.) |
Diameter
of
Entrance (in.) |
Height
Above Ground (feet) |
Habitat
Code |
Likelihood
of Attracting |
| House Wren |
4 x 4 |
6-8 |
4-6 |
1-1 1/4 |
4-10 |
2,6 |
Excellent |
| Chickadees |
4 x 4 |
9 |
7 |
1-1 1/8 |
4-15 |
2 |
Good |
| Downy Woodpecker |
4 x 4 |
9 |
7 |
1-1 1/4 |
5-15 |
2 |
Good |
| Bluebirds |
5 x 5 |
8-12 |
6-10 |
1 1/2
be exact |
5-10 |
1 |
Fair |
| Red Headed Woodpecker |
6 x 6 |
12 |
9 |
2 |
10-20 |
2 |
Fair |
| Flicker |
7 x 7 |
16-18 |
14-16 |
2 1/2 |
6-30 |
1,2 |
Good |
| Screech Owl |
8 x 8 |
12-15 |
9-12 |
3 |
10-30 |
2 |
Good |
| American Kestral |
8 x 8 |
12-15 |
9-12 |
3 |
10-30 |
1,4 |
Good |
| Barn Owl |
10x18 |
15-18 |
0-4 |
6 |
12-18 |
4 |
Good |
| Wood duck |
12x12 |
22 |
17 |
4 |
10-20 |
3,5 |
Good |
| Purple Martin |
6 x 6 |
6 |
1 |
2 1/2 |
10-20 |
1 |
Good |
| Barn Swallow |
6 x 6 |
6 |
* |
* |
8-12 |
6,7 |
Excellent |
| Robin |
6 x 6 |
8 |
* |
* |
6-15 |
6 |
Excellent |
*One or more sides of house should be left open
Habitat Codes:
- Open Areas not permanently shaded, such as pastures,
fields, golf courses.
- Woodland clearings or the edge of woods.
- Above water, or if on land, entrance should face water.
- On trunks of large trees or high in little-frequented
parts of barns, silos, water towers or church steeples.
- Moist forest bottom lands, flooded river valleys, swamps.
- Backyards, near buildings.
- Near water; under bridges
Water
A small pool can add to the attractiveness and enjoyment of
some backyards, especially larger ones. Birds will make the pool
a center of activity, and some pools can provide a home for
turtles, damselflies (mosquito-eaters), or frogs - an extra
sparkle for many outdoor observers. Small fiberglass or plastic
pools can be purchased, or a pool can be dug and lined with
concrete or plastic sheeting.
Plantings
Plants are perhaps the most important part of a backyard
habitat because they become the environment for the family as
well as for songbirds. Plants add beauty and comfort to the home
and often increase property value. Trees and shrubs can help
reduce heating and cooling bills by providing summer shade and
protection from winter winds. A hedge can add privacy, and plants
of various shapes or sizes can be used to screen an ugly view.
For wildlife, plants provide shelter, nesting sites and a variety
of food such as fruits that would otherwise be unavailable.
Proper selection of plants can fill family needs and at the same
time provide a haven for wildlife.
How to Start
First, a goal. Take into consideration the size of your
backyard, what plants are already present and what wildlife you
would like. Then, a plan. Plantings will continue to grow -
consider the plant size, shape, spacing, etc. Outlining the yard
on paper and then sketching in plans can help; drawing on graph
paper helps with dimensions.
Next, select plants that area adapted to your area from the
list found in the woodlands section of this supplement. It is
best to select shrubs and trees that offer both food and cover.
For this reason "seedless" tree varieties should be
avoided since they offer no food.
What to expect
The kinds of wildlife that visit the backyard will vary
depending on its location and size, stage of habitat development
and other factors. But, the more diversity found in your backyard
habitat plan, the greater variety of wildlife you will attract to
your door.
North Dakota Wildlife Conservation Programs
The purpose of this segment is to dispel some of the current
myths that agriculture and wildlife cannot coexist. This section
identifies the public and private agencies and/or organizations
that provide technical as well as financial assistance to
landowners to implement sound conservation practices that may
benefit both agriculture and wildlife.
There are too many programs to list individually here, but
there is a booklet entitled "North Dakota Wildlife
Conservation Programs," that contains a summary of
information on most available programs. You can receive a free
copy of this booklet at your local county extension office.
Following are the practices discussed in this special section,
and a listing of the agencies that have cost-share or technical
assistance programs to help with those practices.
Developing Wildlife Habitat
Local ASCS county office
Local SCS field office
North Dakota Game and Fish Department, Habitat Division,
221-6300
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 255-4403
North Dakota Department of Agriculture, 224-2232
Dakota Wildlife Trust, P.O. Box 572, Valley City, ND 58072
Pheasants Forever, Oahe Chapter, 2510 No. 8th St., Bismarck,
ND 58501
Wetland Restoration
Local ASCS county office
Local SCS field office
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 255-4403
N.D. Game and Fish Department, Habitat Division, 221-6300
N.D. Water Users, 223-4615
N.D. Department of Agriculture, 224-2232
Dakota Wildlife Trust, P.O. Box 572, Valley City, ND 58072
Conserving Wildlife Habitat, Tree Planting, Grazing System
Management
Local ASCS county office
Local SCS field office
N.D. Game and Fish Department, Habitat Division, 221-6300
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,255-4403
Local county extension agent
N.D. State Forest Service, 228-2277, Ext. 22
The goal of this special section is to provide landowners with
an in-hand guide to conservation practices and programs that will
benefit wildlife. With the advent of the Conservation Reserve
Program, the opportunity exists to greatly improve wildlife
numbers and habitat. This section will give landowners who are
willing to consider wildlife in their operation, a place to get
started.
[ BACK ]
[ Introduction
] [ What Makes More Animals? ] [ Time To Get Started ]
[ Managing
Croplands For Wildlife ] [ Managing Water For Wildlife
]
WL-1000, Reviewed and Reprinted March 1992
|
