HomeMy WebLinkAboutSFLP Natural Resource Management Plan
Parks Commission
Date: 8/22/11
Item: 3
ITEM: Sunfish Lake Park Natural Resource Plan Presentation - - Dr. Kathy Widin
SUBMITTED BY: Dr. Kathy Widin, City Forester
Carol Kriegler, Project Assistant
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City received a Community Conservation Assistance grant from the Minnesota DNR for the
purpose of developing a Natural Resource Management Plan for Sunfish Lake Park. The park is
a regionally significant natural area of 284 acres and is recognized by the City of Lake Elmo as an
important open space and habitat area, protected through conservation easement. It is an area
with significant natural features, wetland, woodland, and grassland plant communities, which
have become degraded over time, primarily through colonization by invasive plants. These native
plant communities are still at a point where they can be improved with planned conservation
management.
The goal of the Natural Resource Management Plan is a long-term management plan to improve
the plant communities so that they function to protect water quality and improve wildlife habitat.
Dr. Widin will be providing a presentation of the plan which includes considerable information
regarding the current state of the park based on very extensive and systematic plant inventories
conducted by Dr. Widin and Minnesota Native Landscapes Plant Ecologist Jim Eckberg.
The plan should be considered a very valuable resource for ensuring the future well being and
preservation of the park. The Park Commission is being asked to asked to accept the Natural
Resource Management Plan and consider its implementation to be one of their very highest
priorities over the next few years and into the future.