Today, larger, cleaner crop fields and monoculture stands of tall fescue have substantially reduced the value of the region's agricultural lands to wildlife. We want to improve upland wildlife habitat by providing timely technical assistance to private landowners, working through USDA programs, and developing special partnership projects with other conservation organizations. Additional facilities identified for development on certain high-use conservation areas include hiking trails, shooting ranges and better access to small streams. Facilities such as parking areas, fishing docks and privies will be developed within Americans with Disabilities Act standards. Natural areas are lands designated as the best examples of biological communities in the state, permanently protected and managed for the purpose of preserving their natural qualities.
Examples are prairie, marsh, bottomland forest and savanna.
These communities may serve as the core for restoration of a large area and are prime sites for the education of school and youth groups. We plan improvements on existing natural areas that range from conducting prescribed burns to controlling invading exotic plants, and we will nominate additional sites for natural area status. The Conservation Department strives to lead by example through stewardship of the fish, forest and wildlife resources on areas that we own or manage. Two anglers check their trotline on a Northeast Region river. The Conservation Department will continue to use enlightened regulations to ensure the best fishing possible for residents of the region and also hopes to improve reservoir fishing.