NATURAL RESOURCES Vision Statement Citizen and local government practices reflect good stewardship of the water, air and earth. Air and water quality are preserved and cold water springs protected. Light pollution is avoided throughout the watershed. Preservation, protection and restoration of the natural environment and species biodiversity are encouraged. Scenic views, native plants, wildlife habitat and night skies are viewed as community assets and protected. Hardwoods and other woodlands are managed through sustainable practices. Hunting and fishing continue at high levels due to the sound management of resources. Natural Resources Action Plans : Marsh Walk Building boardwalks out on marshes, wetlands, or swamps Project location Gays Mills, Kickapoo Valley Reserve, Wauzeka DNR land or Kickapoo High School land. Increase recreational and educational uses of marshes for students, hikers, tourists and sports people. Research potential sites for possible usage patterns and durability of the structure answering questions such as. o Is this site part of an existing trail network? How much is this trail used? o Will the boardwalk sustain flooding at this site? Kickapoo Valley Reserve Board Kickapoo High School Task Force Local units of Wisconsin DNR Kickapoo Valley Association Local Sports Clubs Community Conservation Inc. Valley Stewardship Network Nature Conservancy Village of Gays Mills (currently working on hiking trails) 1 year or less: Research could be conducted in late winter to early spring Construction could be completed during late spring, summer, and fall. Natural Resources 1
Preservation plan for scenic views, endangered native plants, and wildlife habitat Identify, protect and educate about endangered species in the Kickapoo Valley Research what is currently being done to ID, protect and educate about endangered species. Familiarity with regional rare and endangered species is required. Conducting a thorough biological inventory of the watershed and mapping areas critical for preservation. Grazing on pastures or logging of woods with endangered species could be limited or prohibited Kickapoo Valley Reserve Prairie Enthusiasts Mississippi Valley Conservancy Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Audubon Society Wisconsin Ornithological Society Required research and mapping could be completed in two years. This research would need to be updated every 5 years. Educational programming and endangered species protection are ongoing. Water quality monitoring Monitoring a river and its streams is the most effective way to monitor the health of an entire watershed. Train volunteers to monitor water quality Obtain state and private grant money to buy equipment Educate public to the importance of water quality monitoring Valley Stewardship Network (Current citizen water quality monitoring program) Wisconsin DNR (water level and storm event and water temperature gauges) County Land and Water Conservation departments Sports clubs (fishing) Public schools (biology classes) Canoe rental businesses Long-term, ongoing monitoring is necessary. Natural Resources 2
Water quality preservation This area is home to some of the best cold-water resources in the Midwest. Continue and expand current government programs such as, Nutrient Management Planning, Non-Point Source Pollution Prevention, Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program and Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) Youth education by incorporating and/or continuing water quality courses as part of a science curriculum. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) Any of the 8 public and 4 private schools in the watershed. These programs are mostly in place they are long term investments. Soil conservation in development, road construction and reconstruction Provide monetary incentives to local municipalities for proper planning and implementation All development and construction sites should be seeded when completed A soil conservation scorecard system could be used as an incentive a company with a higher rating could use it as a marketing tool Local municipalities Developers and contractors Seeding construction sites can happen immediately A scorecard rating system would be a short term start up with long term implementation. Natural Resources 3
Mailing land stewardship resources to new landowners. Making land stewardship resources available initially could be cost effective compared to cleaning up after bad land management decisions later. A list of available resources could be sent with the tax bill to new landowners. Mailed materials and other land stewardship resources could be made available on a municipal or nonprofit website. This website could have links to local conservations groups. County Land & Water Conservation Departments USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service Townships and/or County Tax Departments This is a short-term start-up project with long-term applications. Stream restoration, aquatic habitat restoration, and public access acquisition Identify and recruit interested volunteers Writing grants for materials and paid professionals to organize and guide volunteers Build on the existing citizen monitoring program through the Valley Stewardship Network (VSN) West Fork Sports Club Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) Valley Stewardship Network Existing efforts in these areas can be enhanced as long-term projects. Natural Resources 4
Establish a Dark Sky Reserve at Wildcat Mountain State Park Project Location Wildcat Mountain State Park Work with astronomical groups interested in preserving spaces for dark skies Educational programming and telescope access for residents and business owners in the vicinity of Wildcat Mountain Sate Park making the stars more accessible Secure grants for purchasing light shields and timers. Host workshops to distribute shields and timers. Teach users how to install them. Wildcat Mountain State Park International Dark Sky Association Northwest Astronomers Educational programming and by Northwest Astronomers at Wildcat Mountain State Park are currently scheduled Securing funds and distributing materials would be ongoing Other Action Plan Ideas Eliminate burn barrels Pursue programs to fund septic system upgrades Foster landowner and land user cooperation Promote low impact camping Facilitate local energy production (methane, solar, wind, hydro, and bio-diesel projects) Conservation easements/land trusts to preserve fragile ecosystems Encourage higher levels of participation in DNR and NRCS conservation management programs, especially among new land owners, with privately available contractors. Services to include prairie, savannah, riparian, cold stream, wetland, and forest rehabilitation/management. See Resource Appendix Natural Resources for websites and detailed contact information. See also General/Multiple Topics section of Appendix. Natural Resources 5