Grand River Fen and Skiff Lake (ID: 1406)

Project last modified by aspeers on March 16, 2010.

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Basic
Viability
Threats
Viability Assessment
Action Plan
Strategy Effectiveness
Indicators
Resources

Project Info

Contact Name:
Doug Pearsall

Contact the project owner using:
Contact project owner.

ConPro's Form Emailer

Contact Organization:
The Nature Conservancy

Data Effective Date:
February 15, 2006

Sharing Status:
This project may be shared
outside of TNC.

Go To ·Objectives
·Targets
·Threats
·Strategies

Operational Unit(s):

Michigan

Ecoregion(s):

North Central Tillplain

Country(ies):

United States of America

Objectives

Name
By 2015, increase the area in conservation ownership or easement to at least 80% of priority 1 and 60% of priority 2 lands.
By 2015, protect 90% of recharge area from conversion to impervious surfaces.
By 2015, protect and restore barrens remnants as reservoirs of biodiversity to their highest possible quality.
By 2015, reduce the threat of invasive species on all conserved lands to a "medium" status, and maintain that status or "low" status on all future conserved lands.
By 2015, reduce threat of groundwater nutrients to “low”.
By 2015, restore fire regime in barrens and wetland systems that are under conservation management, and by 2025, implement managed fire regime at a landscape scale.
By 2020, connect wetlands and uplands along the Grand River corridor from TNC preserve to Skiff Lake and the MacCready Reserve so that Mitchell's satyr can disperse along corridor from one end to the other.
By 2025, restore barrens to achieve (60%) of presettlement acreage within the conservation area and enable gene flow and movement of animals between Grand River Fen and Skiff Lake.
On a regular basis, inform restoration efforts here and more broadly and raise profile of this conservation project by communicating results and lessons learned at MacCready demonstration area to select audiences.

Targets

Focal Conservation Target	Target Type	Habitat Type
Wetland complex (more info) Description: Contains 4 ecosystem types: hardwood swamp, conifer swamp, shrub fen, sedge meadow/prairie fen	Ecological System	Wetlands
Angular Spittlebug (more info) Description: G3, S1S2, very little known about species. In MI, appears to be restricted to marly fens and prairie patches	Single Species: Terrestrial Invertebrate	Wetlands
Mitchell's Satyr (more info) Description: small dark brown, eye spots. G1G2T1T2, S1. appears to be restricted to calcareous wetlands that range from open fen, wet prairie, prairie fen, and sedge meadow to shrub-carr and tamarack savanna.	Single Species: Terrestrial Invertebrate	Wetlands
Blazing Star Stem Borer (more info) Description: dark brown borer moth, G3 S1S2, occurs with its larval host plant, blazing star or snakeroot	Single Species: Terrestrial Invertebrate	Wetlands
Poweshiek Skipperling (more info) Description: dark brown skipper, G2G3, S1S2, in MI, appears to be restricted to prairie fens, upland dry and mesic prairie may be important for resting habitat and nectaring.	Single Species: Terrestrial Invertebrate	Grassland
Kitten Tails (more info) Description: perrenial herb, G3 S1S2, "basal rosette of hairy, oval to heart-shaped leaves, Produces one or more hairy, unbranched stems 2-4 dm in height, with a few small, nearly sessile leaves and a dense cylindrical spike of small yellow flowers." -NatureServe. Found in "oak savanna remnants on steep hillsides, especially those adjacent to large rivers and lakes in southern Lower Michigan" -MNFI	Single Species: Vascular plant	Savanna
Oak Barrens (more info) Description: Rare community, S2, G3. "Oak barrens is a fire-dependent, savanna type dominated by oaks, having between 5 and 60 percent canopy, with or without a shrub layer. " - MNFI. There are 2 element occurrences: the restoration sites at Liberty Fen and at MSU's MacCready tract. TNC is considering additional restoration sites including on the hills SW of Skiff Lake and on the Melling tract.	Ecological System	Forest

Threats

Threat (Common Taxonomy) ^*	Targets Threatened
Housing & Urban Areas (Residential & Commercial Development :: Housing & Urban Areas )	Angular Spittlebug Blazing Star Stem Borer Mitchell's Satyr Oak Barrens Poweshiek Skipperling Wetland complex
Invasive Non-Native/Alien Species (Invasive & Other Problematic Species & Genes :: Invasive Non-Native/Alien Species )	Angular Spittlebug Blazing Star Stem Borer Kitten Tails Mitchell's Satyr Oak Barrens Poweshiek Skipperling Wetland complex
Fire & Fire Suppression (Natural System Modifications :: Fire & Fire Suppression )	Kitten Tails Mitchell's Satyr Oak Barrens Wetland complex
Annual & Perennial Non-Timber Crops (Agriculture & Aquaculture :: Annual & Perennial Non-Timber Crops )	Wetland complex Oak Barrens
Dams & Water Management/Use (Natural System Modifications :: Dams & Water Management/Use )	Angular Spittlebug Mitchell's Satyr Wetland complex
Hunting & Collecting Terrestrial Animals (Biological Resource Use :: Hunting & Collecting Terrestrial Animals )	Wetland complex Mitchell's Satyr
Livestock Farming & Ranching (Agriculture & Aquaculture :: Livestock Farming & Ranching )	Mitchell's Satyr Oak Barrens
Roads (Transportation & Service Corridors :: Roads & Railroads )	Wetland complex Mitchell's Satyr
Logging & Wood Harvesting (Biological Resource Use :: Logging & Wood Harvesting )	Oak Barrens

^* For information on the common taxonomy of threats, see http://conservationmeasures.org/CMP/IUCN/.

Strategies

Strategy (Common Taxonomy)	Threats Addressed
Address constraints to implementing fire at a landscape scale. ( Law & Policy :: Policies & Regulations )	Fire & Fire Suppression
Assess current severity of elevated nutrient inputs. ( Land/Water Management :: Site/Area Management )	Annual & Perennial Non-Timber Crops
Complete research on effects of fire on sensitive species to incorporate into fire plans. ( Species Management :: Species Recovery )	Fire & Fire Suppression
Define threats to recharge area. ( Land/Water Management :: Habitat & Natural Process Restoration )	-
Develop and implement stewardship and management plan. ( Land/Water Management :: Habitat & Natural Process Restoration )	Fire & Fire Suppression Invasive Non-Native/Alien Species
Develop budget for all conservation costs. ( External Capacity Building :: Conservation Finance )	-
Develop, fund, and implement long-term plan to restore barrens as they are protected. ( Land/Water Management :: Habitat & Natural Process Restoration )	Fire & Fire Suppression Invasive Non-Native/Alien Species
Hold regular field days for conservation practitioners, researchers, and educators. ( Education & Awareness :: Training )	-
Map recharge area for wetlands. ( Land/Water Management :: Habitat & Natural Process Restoration )	Housing & Urban Areas
Organize and co-host, with MSU, a promotion and philanthropy event to raise awareness of conservation of GRF/SL landscape and cultivate potential donors. ( Education & Awareness :: Awareness & Communications )	-
Produce peer reviewed publications in collaboration with restoration partners. ( Education & Awareness :: Awareness & Communications )	-
Promote and pursue funding for endangered species management through Federal ESA. ( Law & Policy :: Legislation )	Fire & Fire Suppression Invasive Non-Native/Alien Species
Promote Farm Bill programs in recharge area outside of priority lands. ( Land/Water Protection :: Resource & Habitat Protection )	Housing & Urban Areas
Promote stewardship on private lands through outreach and education materials distributed to target audiences (partner with MSU, LIP, and NRCS) ( Education & Awareness :: Awareness & Communications )	Invasive Non-Native/Alien Species
Pursue easements on priority 3 lands. ( Land/Water Protection :: Resource & Habitat Protection )	Housing & Urban Areas Annual & Perennial Non-Timber Crops
Pursue funding for stewardship action. ( External Capacity Building :: Conservation Finance )	-
Pursue protection of priority 1 and 2 lands. ( Land/Water Protection :: Site/Area Protection )	Housing & Urban Areas Annual & Perennial Non-Timber Crops
Pursue zoning and other ordinances at the township and county level. ( Law & Policy :: Policies & Regulations )	Housing & Urban Areas

Viability Summary

Conservation Targets		Landscape Context		Condition		Size		Viability Rank
Conservation Targets		Grade	Weight	Grade	Weight	Grade	Weight	Viability Rank
1	Wetland complex	Good	1.0	Fair	1.0	Fair	1.0	Fair
2	Angular Spittlebug	Good	1.0	-	0.0	Good	1.0	Good
3	Mitchell's Satyr	Fair	1.0	-	0.0	Fair	1.0	Fair
4	Blazing Star Stem Borer	Fair	1.0	-	0.0	Very Good	1.0	Good
5	Poweshiek Skipperling	Fair	1.0	-	0.0	Very Good	1.0	Good
6	Kitten Tails	Fair	1.0	-	0.0	Poor	1.0	Fair
7	Oak Barrens	Poor	1.0	Fair	1.0	Fair	1.0	Fair
Project Biodiversity Health Rank								Fair

Threat Summary

Project-specific Threats (Common Taxonomy *)	Angular Spittlebug	Blazing Star Stem Borer	Kitten Tails	Mitchell's Satyr	Oak Barrens	Poweshiek Skipperling	Wetland complex	Overall Threat Rank
Housing & Urban Areas (Housing & Urban Areas)	Low	Low	-	High	Very High	Low	High	High
Invasive Non-Native/Alien Species (Invasive Non-Native/Alien Species)	Medium	Medium	High	High	High	Medium	High	High
Fire & Fire Suppression (Fire & Fire Suppression)	-	-	Very High	Medium	High	-	Medium	High
Annual & Perennial Non-Timber Crops (Annual & Perennial Non-Timber Crops)	-	-	-	-	High	-	Medium	Medium
Dams & Water Management/Use (Dams & Water Management/Use)	Low	-	-	Medium	-	-	Medium	Medium
Hunting & Collecting Terrestrial Animals (Hunting & Collecting Terrestrial Animals)	-	-	-	Low	-	-	Medium	Low
Livestock Farming & Ranching (Livestock Farming & Ranching)	-	-	-	Low	Medium	-	-	Low
Roads (Roads & Railroads)	-	-	-	Low	-	-	Medium	Low
Logging & Wood Harvesting (Logging & Wood Harvesting)	-	-	-	-	Medium	-	-	Low
Threat Status for Targets and Project	Low	Low	High	High	Very High	Low	High	Very High

Project Resources

Categories & Measures		Score

People
	Staff Leadership	Low
	Multidisciplinary Team	High
People Average		Medium
Internal Resources
	Institutional Learning	High
	Funding	Medium
Internal Resources Average		Medium
External Resources
	Social/Legal Framework for Conservation	High
	Community and Constituency Support	High
External Resources Average		High

Overall Project Resource Rank		Medium

Assessment of Target Viability

Conservation Target	Key Attribute (Category)	Indicator	Current Indicator Measurement	Rating Comments: (Poor, Fair Good Very Good)	Current Rating and Date	Desired Rating and Date
Wetland complex	community architecture ¹ (Condition)	percentage cover of herbaceous species in fens/ sedge meadows (average across EOs)	lots of variation among open wetlands in complex, from very good to poor	Poor: <10% Fair: 10% - <60% Good: 60% - <80% Very Good: 80% - 100%	Fair ²	Good
Wetland complex	community architecture ³ (Condition)	percentage cover of native species in fens/ sedge meadows (average across Eos)	-	Poor: <25% Fair: 25% - <60% Good: 60% - 90% Very Good: >90% - 100%	Fair	Good
Wetland complex	fire regime ⁴ (Condition)	% of fens/ sedge meadows that will carry a prescribed fire (average across Eos)	-	Poor: <10% Fair: 10% - <60% Good: 60% - <80% Very Good: 80% - 100%	Fair	Good
Wetland complex	Connectivity among communities & ecosystems (Landscape Context)	connectivity index	-	Poor: - Fair: - Good: - Very Good: -	Good ⁵	Very Good
Wetland complex	Groundwater Recharge ⁶ (Landscape Context)	Percent impervious surfaces in groundwater recharge area	-	Poor: > 25% Fair: < 25%-15% Good: < 15% Very Good: < 10%	Very Good	Very Good
Wetland complex	Size / extent of characteristic communities / ecosystems ⁷ (Size)	ratio of current size to historical size (acres)	Probably roughly 50% in 2007	Poor: - Fair: - Good: - Very Good: -	Fair ⁸	Good
Angular Spittlebug	size of habitat at Liberty Fen (Landscape Context)	acres of suitable habitat	-	Poor: <5 Fair: 5-10 Good: 10-30 Very Good: >30	Good	Very Good
Angular Spittlebug	Population size ⁹ (Size)	acres of suitable habitat	-	Poor: only a few after 1 hour survey in <10 acres Fair: 20-50 after 1 hour or survey in 20-50 acres Good: 10-20 after 1 hour of survey in 10-20 acres Very Good: >50 after 1 hour of survey in >50 acres	Good ¹⁰	Very Good
Mitchell's Satyr	Connectivity among communities & ecosystems ¹¹ (Landscape Context)	connectivity index	-	Poor: - Fair: - Good: - Very Good: -	Fair	Very Good
Mitchell's Satyr	size of habitat ¹² (Landscape Context)	acres of suitable habitat ¹³	Very good at TNC preserve; good on Weaver tract; poor at Skiff Lake and MacCready	Poor: <5 Fair: 5-10 Good: 10-30 Very Good: >30	Fair ¹⁴ Dec 15, 2007	Very Good ¹⁵ Oct 15, 2010
Mitchell's Satyr	Population size at eastern population (Size)	estimated number of individuals	-	Poor: <100 Fair: 100-500 Good: 500-1000 Very Good: >1000	Fair Oct 15, 2007	Very Good Oct 15, 2015
Mitchell's Satyr	Population size at Liberty ¹⁶ (Size)	estimated number of individuals	-	Poor: <100 Fair: 100-500 Good: 500-1000 Very Good: >1000	Very Good Oct 15, 2007	Very Good Oct 15, 2007
Mitchell's Satyr	Population size at Skiff Lake and MacCready ¹⁷ (Size)	estimated number of individuals ¹⁸	-	Poor: <100 Fair: 100-500 Good: 500-1000 Very Good: >1000	Fair ¹⁹ Dec 15, 2007	Good ²⁰ Oct 15, 2015
Blazing Star Stem Borer	fire sensitivity (Landscape Context)	number of burn units in habitat	-	Poor: only 1 burn unit Fair: at least 2 units, burns in non-consecutive years with at least 2 years rest Good: at least 4 units, Very Good: -	Good	Good
Blazing Star Stem Borer	size of habitat (Landscape Context)	acres of suitable habitat	-	Poor: <1 acre Fair: 1-100 acres Good: foodplants over >100 acres (can be patchy) Very Good: -	Fair	Good
Blazing Star Stem Borer	Population size (Size)	estimated number of individuals	-	Poor: <20 in typical year Fair: >20 Good: >500 in good years Very Good: -	Very Good	Very Good
Poweshiek Skipperling	size of habitat (Landscape Context)	acres of suitable habitat	-	Poor: <20 acres Fair: >20 acres Good: >500 acres Very Good: >1000 acres total prairie	Fair	-
Poweshiek Skipperling	Population size (Size)	estimated number of individuals	-	Poor: <100 most years, <20 very bad years Fair: >100 most years, >20 very bad years Good: >1000 most years, never less than 200 Very Good: >2000 most years, >500 very bad years	Very Good	Very Good
Kitten Tails	size of suitable habitat (Landscape Context)	acres of suitable habitat	-	Poor: - Fair: - Good: - Very Good: -	Fair	Good
Kitten Tails	Population size (Size)	number of individual plants	total of 6 plants in two sites	Poor: <50 Fair: - Good: - Very Good: -	Poor Jun 15, 2007	Good
Oak Barrens	community architecture ²¹ (Condition)	percentage closure of canopy	-	Poor: - Fair: - Good: - Very Good: -	Fair	Very Good
Oak Barrens	floristic quality ²² (Condition)	FQAI with adventives	ranges from 45.1 (good) at MacCready to much lower at other sites	Poor: - Fair: - Good: - Very Good: -	Fair ²³	Good
Oak Barrens	Fire regime - (timing, frequency, intensity, extent) (Landscape Context)	proportion of total target area under fire management	-	Poor: <25% Fair: 25-50% Good: 50-80% Very Good: >80%	Poor ²⁴	Very Good
Oak Barrens	Size / extent of characteristic communities / ecosystems (Size)	percentage of presettlement barrens that presently support barrens community or remnant barrens plants	-	Poor: - Fair: - Good: - Very Good: -	Good	Very Good
Oak Barrens	Size / extent of characteristic communities / ecosystems ²⁵ (Size)	Acres of conserved systems in propotion to target acres	-	Poor: - Fair: - Good: - Very Good: -	Poor	Very Good

COMMENTS:

¹ Used in a similar system at Ives Road Fen (Midwest Calcareous Fen)

² should assess this index every five years; the most likely scenario is that there could be a corridor of "very good" wetlands with more fair or poor wetlands along the margins Confidence and reliability of the current rating: Medium

³ Used in a similar system at Ives Road Fen (Midwest Calcareous Fen)

⁴ Used in a similar system at Ives Road Fen (Midwest Calcareous Fen)

⁵ town of Liberty fragments the system; several roads, homes, and impoundment as well. Some areas are very well connected (LIberty Fen), but lots of variation and north of Fowlkes property is more fragmented or unknown

⁶ Used in a similar system at Ives Road Fen

⁷ Use the are that is managed for conservation in proportion to entire wetland area as the indicator

⁸ Confidence and reliability of the current rating: Medium

⁹ Used in a similar system at Ives Road Fen (for the angular spittlebug)

¹⁰ EO record is 10 years old. Lots of good habitat remains, but rating needs to be confirmed with a new survey. Confidence and reliability of the current rating: Medium

¹¹ connectivity among populations is critical for viability

¹² size of available habitat is a constraining factor for population viability

¹³ expert opinion, based on mark and recapture studies Confidence and reliability of these indicator rating descriptions: High

¹⁴ size of available habitat is very well known for all these cites Confidence and reliability of the current rating: Very High

¹⁵ can achieve good size for both Skiff Lake and MacCready, which would bring rating to Very Good

¹⁶ Used in a similar system at Ives Road Fen (for the angular spittlebug)

¹⁷ Goal is to establish one population occupying Skiff Lake and MacCready wetlands

¹⁸ expert opinion Confidence and reliability of these indicator rating descriptions: Medium

¹⁹ recent surveys and coarse populations estimates Confidence and reliability of the current rating: Medium

²⁰ lots of potential habitat and reintroduction is a real possibility

²¹ used as an attribute at Ives Road Fen

²² good general index for comparing among sites

²³ plant surveys at MacCready and general knowledge of savanna at Grand River Fen and other grazed areas within site Confidence and reliability of the current rating: Medium

²⁴ Confidence and reliability of the current rating: Very High

²⁵ used as an attribute at Ives Road Fen

Objectives, Strategic Actions and Action Steps

Show all:
Strategic Action Measures
Action Steps Measures
Comments

Objective: By 2015, increase the area in conservation ownership or easement to at least 80% of priority 1 and 60% of priority 2 lands.

Strategic Action: Develop budget for all conservation costs.
Strategic Action: Pursue protection of priority 1 and 2 lands. (measures info)

Progress Updated Comments

On Track - -
- Action Step: Map priority wetlands and barrens remnants and areas to restore to barrens. (measures info)
  
  Progress Updated Comments
  
  On Track - -
- Action Step: Develop protection priority map and list. (measures info)
  
  Progress Updated Comments
  
  Completed - -
- Action Step: Pursue funding to support protection actions. (measures info)
  
  Progress Updated Comments
  
  On Track - -

Progress	Updated	Comments
On Track	-	-

Progress	Updated	Comments
On Track	-	-

Progress	Updated	Comments
Completed	-	-

Progress	Updated	Comments
On Track	-	-

Objective: By 2015, protect 90% of recharge area from conversion to impervious surfaces.

Strategic Action: Map recharge area for wetlands. (measures info)

Progress Updated Comments

On Track - -
Strategic Action: Define threats to recharge area.
Strategic Action: Pursue zoning and other ordinances at the township and county level. (measures info)

Progress Updated Comments

Planned - -
Strategic Action: Promote Farm Bill programs in recharge area outside of priority lands. (measures info)

Progress Updated Comments

Planned - -

Progress	Updated	Comments
On Track	-	-

Progress	Updated	Comments
Planned	-	-

Progress	Updated	Comments
Planned	-	-

Objective: By 2015, protect and restore barrens remnants as reservoirs of biodiversity to their highest possible quality.

Strategic Action: Pursue protection of priority 1 and 2 lands. (measures info)

Progress Updated Comments

On Track - -
- Action Step: Map priority wetlands and barrens remnants and areas to restore to barrens. (measures info)
  
  Progress Updated Comments
  
  On Track - -
- Action Step: Develop protection priority map and list. (measures info)
  
  Progress Updated Comments
  
  Completed - -
- Action Step: Pursue funding to support protection actions. (measures info)
  
  Progress Updated Comments
  
  On Track - -
Strategic Action: Pursue easements on priority 3 lands. (measures info)

Progress Updated Comments

Planned - -
Strategic Action: Develop, fund, and implement long-term plan to restore barrens as they are protected. (measures info)

Progress Updated Comments

Planned - -

Progress	Updated	Comments
On Track	-	-

Progress	Updated	Comments
On Track	-	-

Progress	Updated	Comments
Completed	-	-

Progress	Updated	Comments
On Track	-	-

Progress	Updated	Comments
Planned	-	-

Progress	Updated	Comments
Planned	-	-

Objective: By 2015, reduce the threat of invasive species on all conserved lands to a "medium" status, and maintain that status or "low" status on all future conserved lands.

Strategic Action: Promote stewardship on private lands through outreach and education materials distributed to target audiences (partner with MSU, LIP, and NRCS) (measures info)

Progress Updated Comments

On Track - -
Strategic Action: Develop budget for all conservation costs.
Strategic Action: Pursue funding for stewardship action.
Strategic Action: Develop and implement stewardship and management plan. (measures info)

Progress Updated Comments

On Track - -

Progress	Updated	Comments
On Track	-	-

Progress	Updated	Comments
On Track	-	-

Objective: By 2015, reduce threat of groundwater nutrients to “low”.

Strategic Action: Assess current severity of elevated nutrient inputs. (measures info)

Progress Updated Comments

Planned - -

Progress	Updated	Comments
Planned	-	-

Objective: By 2015, restore fire regime in barrens and wetland systems that are under conservation management, and by 2025, implement managed fire regime at a landscape scale.

Strategic Action: Pursue funding for stewardship action.
Strategic Action: Complete research on effects of fire on sensitive species to incorporate into fire plans. (measures info)

Progress Updated Comments

Planned - -
Strategic Action: Address constraints to implementing fire at a landscape scale. (measures info)

Progress Updated Comments

Planned - -
Strategic Action: Promote and pursue funding for endangered species management through Federal ESA. (measures info)

Progress Updated Comments

Planned - -
Strategic Action: Develop, fund, and implement long-term plan to restore barrens as they are protected. (measures info)

Progress Updated Comments

Planned - -

Progress	Updated	Comments
Planned	-	-

Progress	Updated	Comments
Planned	-	-

Progress	Updated	Comments
Planned	-	-

Progress	Updated	Comments
Planned	-	-

Objective: By 2020, connect wetlands and uplands along the Grand River corridor from TNC preserve to Skiff Lake and the MacCready Reserve so that Mitchell's satyr can disperse along corridor from one end to the other.

Strategic Action: Develop budget for all conservation costs.
Strategic Action: Pursue easements on priority 3 lands. (measures info)

Progress Updated Comments

Planned - -
Strategic Action: Pursue protection of priority 1 and 2 lands. (measures info)

Progress Updated Comments

On Track - -
- Action Step: Map priority wetlands and barrens remnants and areas to restore to barrens. (measures info)
  
  Progress Updated Comments
  
  On Track - -
- Action Step: Develop protection priority map and list. (measures info)
  
  Progress Updated Comments
  
  Completed - -
- Action Step: Pursue funding to support protection actions. (measures info)
  
  Progress Updated Comments
  
  On Track - -
Strategic Action: Promote and pursue funding for endangered species management through Federal ESA. (measures info)

Progress Updated Comments

Planned - -

Progress	Updated	Comments
Planned	-	-

Progress	Updated	Comments
On Track	-	-

Progress	Updated	Comments
On Track	-	-

Progress	Updated	Comments
Completed	-	-

Progress	Updated	Comments
On Track	-	-

Progress	Updated	Comments
Planned	-	-

Objective: By 2025, restore barrens to achieve (60%) of presettlement acreage within the conservation area and enable gene flow and movement of animals between Grand River Fen and Skiff Lake.

Strategic Action: Pursue protection of priority 1 and 2 lands. (measures info)

Progress Updated Comments

On Track - -
- Action Step: Map priority wetlands and barrens remnants and areas to restore to barrens. (measures info)
  
  Progress Updated Comments
  
  On Track - -
- Action Step: Develop protection priority map and list. (measures info)
  
  Progress Updated Comments
  
  Completed - -
- Action Step: Pursue funding to support protection actions. (measures info)
  
  Progress Updated Comments
  
  On Track - -
Strategic Action: Pursue easements on priority 3 lands. (measures info)

Progress Updated Comments

Planned - -
Strategic Action: Develop, fund, and implement long-term plan to restore barrens as they are protected. (measures info)

Progress Updated Comments

Planned - -
Strategic Action: Address constraints to implementing fire at a landscape scale. (measures info)

Progress Updated Comments

Planned - -

Progress	Updated	Comments
On Track	-	-

Progress	Updated	Comments
On Track	-	-

Progress	Updated	Comments
Completed	-	-

Progress	Updated	Comments
On Track	-	-

Progress	Updated	Comments
Planned	-	-

Progress	Updated	Comments
Planned	-	-

Progress	Updated	Comments
Planned	-	-

Objective: On a regular basis, inform restoration efforts here and more broadly and raise profile of this conservation project by communicating results and lessons learned at MacCready demonstration area to select audiences.

Strategic Action: Organize and co-host, with MSU, a promotion and philanthropy event to raise awareness of conservation of GRF/SL landscape and cultivate potential donors.
- Action Step: TNC project and philanthropy staff meet with MSU faculty to plan event for 2008
Strategic Action: Hold regular field days for conservation practitioners, researchers, and educators. (measures info)

Progress Updated Comments

On Track - -
Strategic Action: Produce peer reviewed publications in collaboration with restoration partners. (measures info)

Progress Updated Comments

Planned - -
- Action Step: Identify priority research questions and develop funded research program through MSU and the Raisin research center. (measures info)
  
  Progress Updated Comments
  
  Planned - -

Progress	Updated	Comments
On Track	-	-

Progress	Updated	Comments
Planned	-	-

Progress	Updated	Comments
Planned	-	-

Strategy Effectiveness

Show all:
Comments
Objective Measures
Indicator Methods
Indicator Measures
Progress Reports

Percent Complete: 0%

Objective: By 2015, increase the area in conservation ownership or easement to at least 80% of priority 1 and 60% of priority 2 lands.

Indicator: Acres of conserved systems in propotion to target acres

Measure	Date	Source	Trend	Comments
	-		Not Specified

(measurement report)

Indicator: connectivity index

Measure	Date	Trend	Comments
Target: Wetland complex, Category: Landscape Context, KEA: Connectivity among communities & ecosystems
	-	Not Specified	town of Liberty fragments the system; several roads, homes, and impoundment as well. Some areas are very well connected (LIberty Fen), but lots of variation and north of Fowlkes property is more fragmented or unknown
Target: Mitchell's Satyr, Category: Landscape Context, KEA: Connectivity among communities & ecosystems
	-	Not Specified

(measurement report)

Indicator: Percent impervious surfaces in groundwater recharge area

Measure	Date	Source	Trend	Comments
	-		Not Specified

(measurement report)

Percent Complete: 0%

Objective: By 2015, protect 90% of recharge area from conversion to impervious surfaces.

Indicator: Percent impervious surfaces in groundwater recharge area

(measurement report)

Percent Complete: 0%

Objective: By 2015, protect and restore barrens remnants as reservoirs of biodiversity to their highest possible quality.

Indicator: Acres of conserved systems in propotion to target acres

(measurement report)

Percent Complete: 0%

Objective: By 2015, reduce the threat of invasive species on all conserved lands to a "medium" status, and maintain that status or "low" status on all future conserved lands.

Indicator: percent cover of native species

Percent Complete: 0%

Objective: By 2015, reduce threat of groundwater nutrients to “low”.

Indicator: ppm of NO3, NH4 and P

Percent Complete: 0%

Objective: By 2015, restore fire regime in barrens and wetland systems that are under conservation management, and by 2025, implement managed fire regime at a landscape scale.

Indicator: % of fens/ sedge meadows that will carry a prescribed fire (average across Eos)

(measurement report)

Indicator: proportion of total target area under fire management

(measurement report)

Percent Complete: 0%

Indicator: Acres of conserved systems in propotion to target acres

(measurement report)

Indicator: connectivity index

(measurement report)

Percent Complete: 0%

Objective: By 2025, restore barrens to achieve (60%) of presettlement acreage within the conservation area and enable gene flow and movement of animals between Grand River Fen and Skiff Lake.

Indicator: Acres of conserved systems in propotion to target acres

(measurement report)

Indicator: percentage of presettlement barrens that presently support barrens community or remnant barrens plants

(measurement report)

Percent Complete: 0%

All Monitoring Indicators

Methods	Objectives	Key Indicator References by Target (w/Current Indicator Measurement)	Threat References by Target (w/Current Indicator Measurement)
Indicator: % of fens/ sedge meadows that will carry a prescribed fire (average across Eos)
-	By 2015, restore fire regime in barrens and wetland systems that are under conservation management, and by 2025, implement managed fire regime at a landscape scale.	Wetland complex Condition: fire regime (-)	-
Indicator: % of fens/ sedge meadows that will carry a prescribed fire (individual EOs must be above minimum)
-	-	-	-
Indicator: (individual Eos must be above minimum)
-	-	-	-
Indicator: Acres of conserved systems in propotion to target acres
-	By 2015, increase the area in conservation ownership or easement to at least 80% of priority 1 and 60% of priority 2 lands. By 2015, protect and restore barrens remnants as reservoirs of biodiversity to their highest possible quality. By 2020, connect wetlands and uplands along the Grand River corridor from TNC preserve to Skiff Lake and the MacCready Reserve so that Mitchell's satyr can disperse along corridor from one end to the other. By 2025, restore barrens to achieve (60%) of presettlement acreage within the conservation area and enable gene flow and movement of animals between Grand River Fen and Skiff Lake.	Oak Barrens Size: Size / extent of characteristic communities / ecosystems (-)	-
Indicator: FQAI with adventives
-	-	Oak Barrens Condition: floristic quality (ranges from 45.1 (good) at MacCready to much lower at other sites)	-
Indicator: Groundwater elevation in peat
-	-	-	-
Indicator: Mean C
-	-	-	-
Indicator: Percent impervious surfaces in groundwater recharge area
-	By 2015, increase the area in conservation ownership or easement to at least 80% of priority 1 and 60% of priority 2 lands. By 2015, protect 90% of recharge area from conversion to impervious surfaces.	Wetland complex Landscape Context: Groundwater Recharge (-)	-
Indicator: acres of suitable habitat
-	-	Angular Spittlebug Landscape Context: size of habitat at Liberty Fen (-) Size: Population size (-) Blazing Star Stem Borer Landscape Context: size of habitat (-) Kitten Tails Landscape Context: size of suitable habitat (-) Mitchell's Satyr Landscape Context: size of habitat (Very good at TNC preserve; good on Weaver tract; poor at Skiff Lake and MacCready) Poweshiek Skipperling Landscape Context: size of habitat (-)	-
Indicator: connectivity index
-	By 2015, increase the area in conservation ownership or easement to at least 80% of priority 1 and 60% of priority 2 lands. By 2020, connect wetlands and uplands along the Grand River corridor from TNC preserve to Skiff Lake and the MacCready Reserve so that Mitchell's satyr can disperse along corridor from one end to the other.	Mitchell's Satyr Landscape Context: Connectivity among communities & ecosystems (-) Wetland complex Landscape Context: Connectivity among communities & ecosystems (-)	-
Indicator: estimated number of individuals
-	-	Blazing Star Stem Borer Size: Population size (-) Mitchell's Satyr Size: Population size at eastern population (-) Size: Population size at Liberty (-) Size: Population size at Skiff Lake and MacCready (-) Poweshiek Skipperling Size: Population size (-)	-
Indicator: number of burn units in habitat
-	-	Blazing Star Stem Borer Landscape Context: fire sensitivity (-)	-
Indicator: number of individual plants
-	-	Kitten Tails Size: Population size (total of 6 plants in two sites)	-
Indicator: number of individuals
-	-	-	-
Indicator: number of plant associations present in the fen
-	-	-	-
Indicator: percent cover of native species
-	By 2015, reduce the threat of invasive species on all conserved lands to a "medium" status, and maintain that status or "low" status on all future conserved lands.	-	-
Indicator: percentage closure of canopy
-	-	Oak Barrens Condition: community architecture (-)	-
Indicator: percentage cover of herbaceous speces in fens/ sedge meadows (individual EOs must be above minimum)
-	-	-	-
Indicator: percentage cover of herbaceous species in fens/ sedge meadows (average across EOs)
-	-	Wetland complex Condition: community architecture (lots of variation among open wetlands in complex, from very good to poor)	-
Indicator: percentage cover of native species in fens/ sedge meadows (average across Eos)
-	-	Wetland complex Condition: community architecture (-)	-
Indicator: percentage cover of native species in fens/ sedge meadows (individual EOs must be above minimum)
-	-	-	-
Indicator: percentage of presettlement barrens that presently support barrens community or remnant barrens plants
-	By 2025, restore barrens to achieve (60%) of presettlement acreage within the conservation area and enable gene flow and movement of animals between Grand River Fen and Skiff Lake.	Oak Barrens Size: Size / extent of characteristic communities / ecosystems (-)	-
Indicator: ppm of NO3, NH4 and P
-	By 2015, reduce threat of groundwater nutrients to “low”.	-	-
Indicator: proportion of total target area under fire management
-	By 2015, restore fire regime in barrens and wetland systems that are under conservation management, and by 2025, implement managed fire regime at a landscape scale.	Oak Barrens Landscape Context: Fire regime - (timing, frequency, intensity, extent) (-)	-
Indicator: ratio of current size to historical size (acres)
-	-	Wetland complex Size: Size / extent of characteristic communities / ecosystems (Probably roughly 50% in 2007)	-

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Grand River Fen and Skiff Lake (ID: 1406)

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