Wildlife/Habitat

Invasive Species
Invasive species have been a persistent problem in many watersheds. Many plants take advantage of disturbed soil to set up shop and begin crowding out native species. In addition to agricultural and construction disturbance, erosion from both hydrologic processes and human activities such as ATV use create environments favorable to the spread of invasive non-natives. These plants can be more than just a nuisance. Some are toxic (wild parsnip), some create economic impacts by reducing the productivity of agricultural or range land (leafy spurge and spotted knap weed), still others destroy wildlife habitat by crowding out the plants that wildlife depend on or growing in such dense stands that wildlife can no longer use the land for forage or nesting (purple loosestrife). Many animal species can also cause problems. For example, several varieties of Asian carp are currently breeding in the Mississippi River . Some species are not yet breeding as far north as Lake Pepin , but have been spotted there. These voracious feeders alter the ecosystem in a body of water by consuming so much of the available food that many natives are simply starved out. Some feed on native mollusks, while others eat the aquatic vegetation which forms the base of the food web. Follow the links below to learn more.
Purple Loosestrife InfoCentre
PCA Alien Plant Working Group
Asian Carp Invasion of the Upper Mississippi River System
Asian Carp UMESC
What Are Asian Carp and Why Are They A Problem?
InvasiveSpecies.gov
Biological Pollution (Northeast Midwest Institute)
Natural Enemies in Your Garden: A Homeowner's Guide to Biological Control

Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge Complex: Comprehensive Conservation Plan
The Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge Complex spans three states, and nearly 350 river miles of the Mississippi River bottoms between Muscatine, Iowa, and Gorham, Illinois. Approximately 45,000 acres in size, the Complex includes five national wildlife refuges: the Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge in Wapello, Iowa; the Great River and Clarence Cannon national wildlife refuges in Annada, Missouri; the Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge in Brussels, Illinois, and the Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge located south of St. Louis, Missouri. In September 2004, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced the completion of the comprehensive conservation plan, or CCP, for the Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The CCP outlines how the Refuge will fulfill its legal purposes and contribute to the National Wildlife Refuge System's wildlife, habitat and public use goals. The plan will be updated every 5 to 10 years based on information gained through monitoring wildlife and habitat. Follow the links below for more information and resources.
Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge Complex (Note: Chapters of the Final CCP can be viewed through links on this page.)
Summary Draft CCP/EA (.PDF Document)

Audubon Ark Travels the Mississippi to Raise Awareness of River, Habitat and Clean Water Issues
The Grand Excursion of 2004 was just another leg in the continuing journey of the Lilly Belle, the dual stern paddlewheeler run by Captain Ike Hastings and the crew of the Audubon Society Upper Mississippi River Campaign, to raise awareness of the river, wildlife habitat and clean water issues on the Mississippi. Dan McGuiness, director of the Upper Mississippi River Campaign, and first mate Jon Stravers, research and field trip coordinator, travel the river each summer, hosting open houses on the Lilly Belle and conducting backwater tours of the Upper Mississippi River Fish and Wildlife Refuge along the way.
Audubon Society Upper Mississippi River Campaign
Bountiful birds and a renaissance man: Man-made islands show that habitat loss is reversible By Mike Brunker - MSNBC- 8/5/04

Rainwater Gardens: An effective, natural and beautiful way to manage stormwater runoff.
A rainwater garden is a relatively small area of plantings near the drain spout of a building or a paved area. Rainwater runs into the garden and is filtered naturally by the plants and soils of the garden. Rain gardens reduce stormwater runoff by providing excess surface water with an enhanced opportunity to be filtered and absorbed into the soil where it can recharge groundwater supplies and maintain natural hydrologic processes. Minnesota is blessed with an abundance of lakes, rivers and streams that provide us with ready sources of drinking water. However, polluted run off containing lawn and garden fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides, yard wastes, sediment, and animal wastes drain daily into our storm sewers and endangers these water resources. As polluted runoff finds its way into waterways and groundwater, it produces a wide range of problems that degrade water quality. Despite progress in cleaning up pollution and controlling flooding, excess nutrients and sediment continue to overwhelm our lakes and streams and present a long-term threat to groundwater. Ultimately, it is our health and economic well being that is affected. Rainwater gardens are a beautiful and effective way to minimize the effects of polluted runoff from urban and suburban surfaces. To learn more, follow the links below.

ENN Special Report: Sustainable Gardening By the Editors -ENN- 4/1/05
Maplewood Rainwater Gardens
Low Impact Stormwater Tour
City of Burnsville Rainwater Garden Project
Rain gardens seen as key to cutting pollution By Stephanie Hemphill, Minnesota Public Radio 6/23/04
Rain Garden Workshops
Toxins hidden in green veil: Eco-friendly lawn care fights pollution By Joan Lowy -Scripps Howard News Service- 9/26/04
The Illinois Rain Garden Initiative
Rain garden is a simple answer to polluted runoff By Pablo Bello -Reuters- 8/19/02

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