This project will restore 12.7 acres of high-quality FEN wetland and associated plant communities at the 38-acre trail creek FEN nature preserve in laporte county, in

Trail creek FEN is a raised graminoid FEN that supports over 200 species of native plants that is owned and managed by save the dunes conservation fund. Trail creek FEN exists within the chicago lake plain subregion of the northwest morainal natural region in the little calumet-galien watershed. The scope of work for this habitat restoration project includes treatment of the following non-native invasive species that compete with the fens native species common reed (phragmites australis), hybrid cattail (typha x glauca), reed canary grass (phalaris arundinacea), and purple loosestrife (lythrum salicaria) during 2024 with a follow-up treatment in 2025.two previous floristic quality assessments performed in 2009 and in 1978 (updated in 1982) recorded native floristic quality index (FQI) scores of 65.2 and 75.9 respectively. The prevalence of non-native invasive species has led to a diminished natural plant community within the state significant wetland FEN. The project site has numerous records of state-listed species including state species of special concern star-nosed mole (condylura cristata) and eastern box turtle (terrapene carolina carolina), state threatened branched BUR reed (sparganium androcladum) and awned oval sedge (carex straminea), state endangered spotted turtle (clemmys guttata).the goal of this habitat project is to eradicate non-native invasive plants within the wetland areas and provide an opportunity for the native plant communities to flourish. Herbicide applications on non-native invasive species will be conducted in a targeted and selective manner by a professional habitat restoration contractor on 8.6 acres where high quality native species are also present. The contractor may OPT for a broadcast blanket treatment approach on 4.1 acres of invasive target species monoculture stands as mapped. The habitat restoration activities will favor the diverse remnant plant community supporting numerous wetland-dwelling migratory bird species including a variety of wrens, sparrows, warblers, and flycatcher species in addition to pollinators, insects, reptiles, and amphibians. The partners biologist will coordinate with the landowner to develop a restoration work plan, conduct an on-site investigation prior to restoration activities, provide project oversight, and perform a post-restoration site inspection to verify completion of the habitat restoration work. The partners for fish and wildlife program will provide 12,299.33 cost-share towards the wetland herbaceous weed treatment of non-native invasive species during the 2024 growing season. The landowner will provide 7,700.67 for the remaining balance of the treatment in 2024, and 2,000.00 for the follow-up treatment in 2025. Total cash match is valued at 9,700.67.