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9 <br />6.4.2 Mechanical Mowing <br />After the establishment period, mowing specific areas 1 or 2 times per year may be required to control <br />noxious weeds and woody species. Mowing may be targeted to certain management areas depending <br />on invasive species cover. Any mowers should be cleaned before entering the area to reduce the <br />potential to spread invasive species into the prairies. <br />6.4.4 Prescribed Burning <br />Periodic wildfire has played a crucial role in maintaining fire-dependent plant communities, including <br />upland prairies. Fire re-invigorates the growth of native species, maintains species diversity, and <br />improves wildlife habitat. Prescribed burning is a management strategy that land managers can use to <br />improve the conditions of prairies, which are fire-dependent plant communities. <br />Periodic prescribed burning may be recommended to manage invasive species, remove accumulated <br />thatch, and invigorate native fire-dependent plant communities. Burns can be conducted at different <br />times of the year depending on the objectives. Prescribed burns should be set in a controlled manner by <br />trained professionals using burn plans that are understood by the Protected Property manager and the <br />full burn crew. The goals and objectives should be clearly identified before each burn. <br />6.4.5 Grazing <br />Grazing may be utilized as a management tool, if appropriate for the site. Sheep grazing can be <br />implemented in place of mowing to manage vegetation height or density. Grazing provides many of the <br />same impacts as mowing, such as removing the vegetative thatch from the Site and reducing the risk of <br />wildfires. Sheep grazing also re-introduces valuable services for the overall health of the vegetation by <br />recycling nutrients and has been shown to increase soil carbon and nutrients when grazing in native <br />vegetation. Grazing intensity and timing will vary based on vegetation type and management objectives. <br />6.4.6 Haying <br />Haying is an optional method that could be used to help with specific goals especially if burning and <br />grazing will not be used. Haying would include mowing, and it would be followed by mechanical removal <br />of the cut thatch material. This is beneficial for the Site to minimize the accumulation of material that <br />may pose wildfire risks. In addition, removing the thatch is beneficial for the growth of many species, <br />because it allows new seedlings to become established. <br />7.0 Vegetation Monitoring and Reporting <br />Periodic site monitoring is recommended to evaluate the establishment of seeded species, identify <br />invasive, noxious, and woody species presence, check for erosion or other Site issues, and determine <br />vegetation maintenance needs and timing. These monitoring visits should occur three times per <br />year/growing season during the early establishment period (Years 1-3) and 1-2 times per year thereafter. <br />7.1 Projected Outcomes <br />Monitoring will be used to assess the vegetative cover relative to the following projected outcomes: <br />•All vegetated areas have at least 90% vegetative cover. <br />•Vegetative cover should have at least 60-70% cover by native species. <br />•Noxious weeds and invasive species should not exceed 20% cover. <br />•Aim to have at least 15 native species with 1% or greater cover. <br />•Wildflower species (forbs) should compose at least 15% cover.