Dakota County will restore 44 acres of prairie and savanna throughout parts of the Bison Range at the west end of Spring Lake Park Reserve. This project will restore the area back to native vegetation and provide more suitable habitat for the bison.
Tree removal will take place near the Fahey Trailhead and east of Fischer Avenue. These areas are currently old fields and former homesteads that are overgrown with undesirable tree species. They will be restored to native prairie and savanna.
Funding for this project is provided by a grant through Minnesota's Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment.
Bison Range Restoration Project Map
Project timeline
Winter 2024: Woody invasive species removal.
Spring and summer 2024: Prepare disturbed areas for seeding.
Fall 2024: Seed prepared areas.
Fall 2024–fall 2026: Establishment management of seeded areas.