TO:
Marsh Management Committee
FROM: Andy Nelson, Wildlife Team Leader
SUBJECT: July 9, 2001 Meeting Minutes
Hello again! I hope these minutes find
everyone enjoying another great Wisconsin
summer!
As has been the pattern in recent months,
our meeting began with a discussion
of the proposed Wetland Wilderness Area.
Andy reported that written and verbal
comments on the proposal continue to
be mixed. There is a contingent of folks
that are definitely strong supporters
of designating an area of the Marsh
for non-motorized use. At the same time,
many people are less than excited about
the proposal due to potential impacts
on existing navigation patterns, potential
crowding issues, and safety. Overall,
there seems to be most support for limiting
motor use in an area that is currently
not navigable, but which may become
navigable through continuing habitat
development work. Andy will work to
prepare a draft survey questionnaire
for the August meeting.
Water level management was another
topic of discussion. Specifically, our
current water management plan is about
to expire at the end of August. Plans
are needed for fall and beyond.
One of the most significant considerations
for water management decisions is plant
growth status. Andy noted that cattail
bogs appear to be well anchored in most
areas. Additionally, lower water levels
from the past 2 summers have helped
the cattails expand into the margins
of many bays. Submergent plant growth
appears to be doing well in many areas.
Using these indicators, Andy felt
it would be wise to push water levels
up for fall to encourage muskrat feeding
and over-winter survival. Daine P. agreed
with this notion, and mentioned concerns
about bog lift if we go too high too
fast.
Two alternatives were considered.
These were a level of about 75.0 which
would be the same as last year, or possibly
maxing out the level at 75.3 for fall
and winter to make as much of the Marsh
as possible available for birds and
rats. After discussion, it was decided
to commit to the 75.0 level for now,
with continued evaluation of this level
in light of continuing habitat work
(mowing, burning, crushing) and the
effectiveness of such levels at suffocating
treated sites. Bog stability will also
be evaluated.
Next, we talked about fundraising
efforts. Andy and Gary Kahlhamer reported
on an initial fundraising meeting held
in June. The session was a brainstorming
session where multiple ideas for generating
modest funds were discussed. Among the
ideas were raffles, sponsor prints,
boat launch donations, and a sponsor
sticker. The sponsor sticker had the
most support at the fundraising meeting.
Andy and Gary proceeded to describe
a simple window decal that said "
Horicon Marsh Habitat Sponsor"
or similar text. The basis of this concept
was for MMC members to take these decals
back to their various organizations
to sell for a fee of $5 or $10. The
collected funds would then be deposited
into a gift account for use to complete
specific habitat projects. It is hoped
that these projects and a short explanation
of each could be provided on the backing
for each decal. Jeff Kotnick reported
that his firm, Tailored Label Products,
of Fond du Lac would be willing to print
the decals at no charge.
A short discussion ensued about the
need for MMC members to commit to making
sales of the decals a priority. It was
noted that DNR can support the effort
with news releases and information at
the Service Center, but that sales effort
must come from the MMC if this effort
is to be successful.
Andy provided the group with a short
handout of 4 projects that could be
completed with these funds. These include:
Miescke Impoundment Rearing Pond, Redhead
Impoundment Rearing Pond, Pothole Restoration,
and wild rice establishment. The narratives
of these projects could be used to support
the decal sales.
Finally, Andy gave a short report
on the Nest Success Initiative. The
2001 nesting season saw 52 artificial
nests successfully established and completed
the monitoring regimen. Each nest consisted
of 4 pheasant eggs placed in a black
clay pigeon. Most nests had a cotton
patch under the eggs to hold dog training
scent. This scent was intended to mimic
the scent of a sitting hen. To help
with relocation, nests we placed 10
feet away from a pre-placed steel fence
post. Eggs were checked at 14 days and
replaced to avoid spoilage. At 28 days
nests were checked to determine success.
All nest checks and handling involved
use of rubber gloves and boots. On later
nest attempts we did not use the scent
and instead used scent killer to test
for differences. No differences were
found.
Of these nests only one (>2%) did
not experience loss to predation. Four
nests (7.7%) had at least one egg survive
the 28 day nesting period. Inspection
of destroyed nests suggests that most
nest losses were caused by raccoon and
fox. Interestingly, three of the four
successful nests were located on a site
where extensive tree removal had occurred
this past winter. More investigations
will be required to determine if any
relationship exists.
Trapping activity was a non-factor
in 2001 as trapper services never materialized.
While this is disappointing, our year
was still productive. Thanks to the
efforts of volunteers who established
and monitored nests, we have baseline
information to compare future results
against. Special thanks to Fred Ladwig,
Bob Dries, Gary Grover, Clem Jacak,
Rob Monette, and all the other folks
who helped make our nesting effort a
success this spring!
For the third consecutive month one
major highlight of our meeting was a
bunch of new faces taking the time to
attend and participate in our meeting.
This is excellent news as the continuing
work of the MMC relies upon new energy
and continuing commitment to the best
interests of Horicon Marsh above personal
desires. Thanks to all who have continued
to support the committee for the past
3 years and welcome to our new friends!
Our next MMC meeting will be held
on Monday August 6th at 6:30 p.m. at
the DNR Service Center on HWY 28. Our
agenda will include:
- Management Updates
- Precribed Burning results
- Wetland Wilderness Survey
- Pothole Restoration efforts
- Fundraising Reports
- Nest Success Initiative
- Trapping Auction
