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Why Pursue an Ecosystem -based Natural Resources Management Strategy? / <br />By examining our natural resources, we can develop an organized way to give priority to natural systems <br />planning within the context of overall community planning. Recognizing that development will continue <br />to occur, we must design strategies that allow for development, yet also maintain and expand the natural <br />resources inherent within the city as well as surrounding communities. Ultimately, Lake Elmo will <br />become a community that is sustainable and in balance within the ecosystem. <br />Proposed Natural Resources Inventory Procedure: <br />Using existing aerial photographs, determine approximate acreage of forest, prairie, wet meadow cover <br />and agricultural land. Select between 40 and 50 sites within the forest, prairie and wet meadow areas to <br />gather data and information on the following: <br />L Tree identification (nearest neighbor tree analysis) <br />2. Shrub identification (2 meter plots of shrub species and stem counts) <br />3. Herbaceous plant identification (1 meter plot of species and percent cover) <br />4. Litter layer analysis (duff and humus estimates) <br />5. Site photos <br />6. List of animal signs <br />7. List of animals sighted <br />Identify and train volunteers to collect date and information at two sites per workday. Collect data for <br />each site at three times (spring, early summer and late summer), to assure all relevant information has <br />been collected. <br />Data and information will be analyzed to determine a profile of the natural resources of Lake Elmo. We <br />hope to identify areas of special significance, construct lists of plants and animals in their natural <br />habitats, and ultimately map natural corridors linking plant and animal communities. <br />For more information, contact: <br />Tom Skalbeck Lisa Burban <br />8879 Jane Road, North 9612 57th Street <br />Lake Elmo, MN 55042 Lake Elmo, MN 55042 <br />C <br />