Flexible future climate in Rush Kreik

Since climate change reshapes our world, the connected and flexible landscapes are crucial to maintaining the natural Wisconsin wonders. In Rush Creek, we collaborate with partners to restore the scene into a prosperous and wildlife sanctuary. Reading to discover how this vital project restores habitats and builds a future that can adapt nature and flourish in the face of climate change.

Air offer for Rush Kreik Natural area. Photo by Bin Albert

In 1993, she chose the Natural Resources Foundation in Wisconsin One of our first memorization sites. Our commitment to protecting this private place has never stopped. Rush Creek is located along the Mississippi River, and is home to one of the rarest types of habitats in Wisconsin – Bariri remains. It also happens to be the largest remaining dry wild residue in the Middle West. The various landscapes also include Oak Savana, Londing oak wood and flooding forests. Two miles flow from the tables that fed the spring through this precious landscape. With 2800 acres of high -quality habitats, Rush Creek extends along an important migrant corridor for birds such as Cerlean Warbler and Henrow.

In 2022, we cooperated with the Wisconsin Natural Resources Ministry to launch the first climate adaptation project in Wisconsin in Rush Kreik. Our goal was to restore the state’s natural districts in the state. The team builds a connected flexible scene that supports a wide range of species for years to come, even with climate change. This work will benefit approximately 50 Types of the greatest memorization needsOne of the forests and herbal lands to the pollinators.

Endangery -threatened country in the natural Rush Creek State area, one of the priority sites for the Natural Resources Corporation. Photo: Armund Bartz

In order to achieve these ambitious goals, the project focused on three main adaptation strategies:

1. Re -call Two miles of the wild by controlling the brush and removing the gas species, allowing the species to travel between different habitats.
2. restoration Savanna oak and forests by relieving shade -loving trees, using the described fire, and enhancing forest health to build flexibility against climate change.
3. create New Notic Prairie and Savanna with temporary warehouses of forests and climate seed mixture, to reduce surface flow and make wild plants more flexible.

One of the crew members runs a burning described in the natural Rush Creek State area in the spring of 2024. Photo by Bin Albert

Over the past three years, the team has completed more than 1,100 acres of climate air conditioning. Here is how everything met:

• Adjustment of the adaptation: We planted 80 acres of various climate wilds, using the seeds obtained from all over the region.
• Establish the savannah temporary stores: Along 16 acres of agricultural lands, we created savannah plant stores to reduce surface flow and enhance the flexibility of the wilds by providing a transitional area between fortified lands and forests.
• Add oak home: We planted 15 acres of boring and white oaks along the forest edges. This oak will support wildlife and improve the storm flexibility.
• Using prescribed burns: More than 860 acres have been treated with prescribed burns to stimulate the growth of the original plant, the control brush, and enhance the tolerance of plants with dryness and frost.
• Diversify the umbrella of trees and energy: Through 35 acres, we improved trees and great diversity. This will support the various wildlife needs and increase flexibility against pests and climate effects.

Burning described in the natural Rush Creek State area in the spring of 2024. Photo by Ben Albert

In addition to our conservation efforts on the site, we were working to connect people directly to this special project. We have hosted three visits specifically for real estate managers from the Wisconsin Natural Resources Ministry, American Wild Wildlife Service, Ho-Cink Nation, local land funds, and other non-profit organizations to exchange ideas and cooperation. We also welcomed the audience on three NRF field trips. The attendees had a direct look at the climate adaptation practices and the effect of our work.

He visited a group of 20 Rush Creek practitioners in September 2023 to learn about the climate flexibility project. Photo: Ketlin Williamson

With the conclusion of the project, we are enthusiastic about future opportunities to expand our efforts to nearby protected areas and private lands. By changing climate, our landscape is reshaping, we hope to help normalize climate adjustment projects by sharing the lessons learned and inspiring natural resources managers during the field days.

This work is possible because of people like you. Thank you for sharing our mission of protecting the Wisconsin, water, wildlife and linking all people to nature. Join us as we continue to support climate adaptation projects throughout the Wisconsin state by becoming a member of NRF. Together, we will guarantee the protection of the wonders of our natural states for future generations to enjoy them.

You can also give a gift directly to the NRF climate response box. The Endowment Fund supports this priority projects and programs that respond to the needs of preserving the effect of climate and education in Wisconsin, including this important work in Rush Creek.

Work in Rush Creek is also possible thanks Wildlife Preservation AssociationClimate Adaptation Fund. Support has been provided to this influential fund for the Wildlife Preservation Association from Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.

This new short film shows how conservatives work together to protect plants and animals in the natural Rush Creek State from climate change.

Director Ben Albert, the award -winning director of the best film director at the 2012 Fresh Coast Film Festival, is the beauty and environmental importance of Rush Creek, from its delicate flowers to its epic looks on the Mississippi River.

“The Rush Creek project has really started the desire to bring climate flexibility and adapt to Wisconsin – in a big way,” said Kitlene Williamson, NRF. “Winchonsen loves our land. There is a set of support for this type of work.”

Written by Emma Shatz, digital communications coordinator