Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 04/10/1997

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Recommendation: The non-native tree plantation found on the Husby's land should be retained Since the Husby's donated their land to the Anoka County parks system, this plantation should stand in their memory. Herbert and Marc, ella Husby both share a passion ~or forestry and have planted over 100 non-native tree species on their land. Recommendati'on: The non-native grasslands, as well as the agricultural areas, should be restored to native sand plain communities. This would provide representation ora declining natural communities on the Anoka sand plain. The softs in these regions are well suited to sustain many of the natunil native vegetative communities. The lack of native communities on the Anoka sand plain would not only make this a unique site for vegetation, but associated wildlife as well. Recommendation: Burning should be carried out on all prairie sites within the park. Fire is an important and natural part of the successional stages of prairie development. The removal of debris and organic matter by fire is necessary for a prairie to exist. Despite the potential complaints about smoke and potential haT-rd to neighboring communities, fire should play a major role in prairie management. Consult the' DNK for appropriate prairie fire management. Recommendation: The red cedar forest near the Husby home should be maintained as a red cedar forest. The economic and ecological impacts of converting this area to another community would greatly outweigh the benefit~ of the new community. The area is small and is densely populated with trees both native and non-native. This area would also demonsa-a~e the ecology (plant and animal interactions with the landscape) of a dense woodland while other communities in the park are still in less dense, early successional stages. Recommendation: Crops for wildlife shouM be maintained within the park. Special management will have to be taken into consideration due to the severe limitations of these sandy soils for firming. Minimum tillage is recommended to protect organic matter and reduce soil blowing. Since the natural fertility is low for most of the park, some amount of fertilization might be required to improve the crop yields. Some irrigation may be considered, especially in very dry years, due to the low available water capacity of the majority of the sandy softs at the park. Recommendation: Canada thistle and other exotic populations identified as problem species should be monitored. Canada thistle was observed in many areas throughout the park. Because of the nature of this species, fast invader and resource exploiter, the populations of this and other problem species should be 27