Military Ridge Prairie Heritage Area

	Events
	Fall 2008

The Military Ridge Prairie Heritage Area (map) is a large grassland landscape in southwestern Dane and southeastern Iowa Counties. The area supports many prairie remnants, pastures, and lands enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Within the Military Ridge area are more than 20 remnants of the original tallgrass prairie and 14 rare and declining grassland bird species. Grassland birds are the fastest declining group of species in North America, primarily due to loss of critical habitat. Scientists from the Department of Natural Resources, The Nature Conservancy and other agencies and experts have identified this landscape’s mix of prairies, pastures, farmland, and lands enrolled in conservation programs as the best opportunity for large-scale grassland protection and management in Wisconsin and the Midwest. Recent research revealed that eastern meadowlarks, once common all over southern Wisconsin, have disappeared from most of that area in recent decades. They still thrive in the Military Ridge grassland area. Pheasant hunters know that this area has some of the strongest breeding populations in Wisconsin.

Conservation on Private Land

Of the 40,000 acres in the Military Ridge Prairie Heritage Area, only about 10 are owned by the government. The vast majority of the land is owned by private individuals. By keeping their land in pasture, hay or fallow field, these landowners are creating an outstanding safe zone for grassland species. The project coordinator works with landowners to identify government programs and non-profit agencies that can help them protect and manage grasslands on their property. In addition to the various small private landowners, The Nature Conservancy, a private non-profit organization, owns 1,300 acres in the heart of the area.

Public Benefits of the Military Ridge Project

Provides habitat for wildlife such as grassland songbirds, ring-necked pheasants, wild turkey, and badgers.
Protects local water quality and rural open space of the Military Ridge area.
Provides public recreational uses, such as hunting, hiking, and bird watching.
Provides ‘outdoor classroom’ opportunities for local schools to learn about the area’s agricultural and grassland landscape.