Iowa DNR conducting grassland management at Union County’s 12 Mile Lake Wildlife Area

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has been removing trees on the east side of the 12 Mile Lake Wildlife Area in order to restore high quality grassland habitat, improving water quality for the lake and benefiting grassland wildlife.

“The grassland has been threatened by invasive bush honeysuckle, autumn olive and eastern red cedar, which outcompetes the grassland, creating nothing but bare ground underneath, resulting in increased runoff to the lake,” said Josh Rusk with the Iowa DNR.

The most recent clearing is visible from the boat ramp. The DNR plans to follow up with a prescribed burn this spring.

“It’s been a gradual, multi-year project that has a way to go,” he said. “We plan to burn the tree piles, restack, and burn again. Once we get the tree and brush skeletons cleaned up we will convert cool season grasses to native grasses and wildflowers.”

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A similar restoration effort is also happening on the west side of the lake.

“In most, but not all cases, we are not cutting bur oaks and black oaks. The larger tracts of oak hickory woodland will continue to be managed as woodland,” Rusk said.

“We are already seeing an increasing number grassland wildlife, and the bird hunters have responded with the growing pheasant and quail numbers. The area will still support deer populations as they will use the high-quality grasslands and brushy ditches,” he said.

Once completed, the restoration will benefit many grasslands and shrubland obligate birds, such as Henslow’s sparrow, bobolink, eastern meadowlark, field sparrow, loggerhead shrike, and indigo bunting. These birds are part of the fastest declining groups of species in North America. 

“The restored grassland will lead to better water quality which also means better drinking water and better fishing in the lake,” he said. “It’s a win for everyone.”