This project will restore 42.9 acres of remnant forested high dunes and OAK savanna at the stockwell woods naturepreserve property located in laporte county, in

Encroachment by aggressive non native invasive woody species, including bush honeysuckle (lonicera SPP), tree of heaven (ailanthus altissima), autumn olive (elaeagnusumbellata), oriental bittersweet (celastrus orbiculatus), multiflora rose (rosa multiflora), japanese barberry(berberis thunbergii), winged burning bush (euonymus alatus), and buckthorn (rhamnus athartica) have degraded theproperty owned by the save the dunes conservation fund. In addition to the invasive species management, treethinning is needed to help restore and maintain the OAK savanna community and structure that has becomeovercrowded with woody species from years of fire suppression. The tree thinning efforts will target a 5 acrearea of OAK savanna.several state vulnerable, rare, or threatened species have been recorded at stockwell woods including jack pine(pinus banksiana), eastern white pine (pinus strobus), common juniper (juniperis communis), spotted wintergreen(chimaphila maculata) and sand heather (hudsonia tomentosa). A previously conducted floristic quality assessment performed on the property recorded a native floristic quality index (FQI) of 48.6 comprised of 87 native species. The goal of this habitat project is to eradicate non native invasive plants, improve savanna structure, andprovide opportunities for the native plant communities, especially the herbaceous layer, to flourish. Herbicideapplications on non native woody species via chemical and mechanical treatments will favor the diverse remnantplant community supporting numerous migratory bird species including a variety of woodpeckers, warblers, flycatchers, and vireos. Apart from the benefits to migratory birds, the canopy opening, and invasive speciescontrol will also benefit pollinator species including the karner blue and monarch butterfly by enhancing floralresources. The organization s long term goal is for the stockwell woods property to become a dedicated statenature preserve. The partners biologist will coordinate with the landowner to develop a restoration work plan, conduct an on siteinvestigation prior to restoration activities, provide project oversight, and perform a post restoration siteinspection to verify completion of the habitat restoration work. The partners for fish and wildlife program willprovide 10,585.00 cost share towards the tree thinning during the winter of 2022 2023 and the invasive speciescontrol in summer fall of 2023. The landowner will provide 3,948.00 cash match towards the invasive speciescontrol in 2024 and continue restoration efforts beyond the scope of this agreement to improve the wildlife habitat value of the property.