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RICE CREEK NORTH REGIONAL TRAIL MASTER PLAN | 23 NATURAL RESOURCES INVENTORY Land Cover Vegetation and Management The native vegetation (vegetation of Minnesota at the time of the public land survey: 1847 -1907) within the Rice Creek North Regional Trail corridor included extensive floodplain wetlands with scattered savannas, mixed woods, prairies and oak woodlands. Much of the native vegetation was altered because of channelization of Rice Creek for agricultural use during the turn of the 20th century, except for some oak woodlands. These segments of native oak woodlands have not been disturbed and are of utmost priority for restoration, preservation, and protection. Oak woods are identified on the land cover maps and include a 12.68 acre area located within the southeast corner of the north segment abutting County Road I, a 13 acre area located in the northeast corner of the central segment, south of the MNDOT training center, and 8.6 acres scattered throughout the south segment, which have been defined by the Minnesota County Biological Survey as an oak woodland site with biodiversity significance. In addition to the native oak woods, other current vegetation within the corridor consists of the following land cover types: shrub swamp, converted native prairie, mixed woods, wetland, old field, cultivated conifers, active use areas, and open water consisting of rice creek, open water wetlands, and storm water ponds. These land cover types were modified from the Minnesota Land Cover Classification System so that planned restoration management practices and costs could be projected across the park system with greater ease. These land cover types were delineated in 2018 using the Minnesota Land Cover Classification System, 2010 national wetland inventory, and 2017 county aerial photography. Current and future land cover change maps are shown in the appendix. Past restoration projects within the corridor include the reestablishment of 50 acres of prairie, between 2003- 2005, within the north section of the corridor. These are dry prairies consisting of predominantly little blue stem with a healthy mix of forbs including lupine, rough blazing star, lead plant, wild bergamont, and round headed bush clover. Other projects have included the re-meandering of Rice Creek. In the early 20th century sections of Rice Creek were straightened for the expansion of agricultural practices. In an effort to return the stream to natural channels, improve stream habitat, reduce erosion, and help flood levels, the Rice Creek Watershed District re-meandered the section of Rice Creek from Lexington Avenue North to County Road H in 2005 and the section from County Road H to Interstate 35W in 2015. The re-meandering projects included excavating the original natural channel, adding natural erosion control structures, and allowing the channel to establish vegetation over a growing season then rerouting the water from the straightened path into the naturally meandering channel. Current restoration efforts within the corridor include 8.6 acres of oak woods and 43 acres of mixed woodland restoration within the south segment of the corridor, located south of County road H. This project started in 2016 and involves woody invasive removal consisting mainly of buckthorn, and seeding of native grasses and forbs throughout the oak woodlands. Restoration efforts also began in late 2018 within the 13 acre oak woods located in the central section. Wildlife The park hosts a variety of wildlife including nesting songbirds, waterfowl, and raptors. Larger mammals include white-tailed deer, otter, coyotes, red fox, and raccoons. A more robust wildlife species list based on reported observations or assumptions influenced by expected habitat/species relationships can be found in the appendix. This list contains species that have been documented by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Natural Heritage Inventory that are protected, species of greatest conservation need, or species of special concern including the upland sandpiper, Blanding’s Turtle and trumpeter swan. The northern long-eared bat’s range, a federally threatened species, is within the corridor. The local U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service office should be consulted to determine roost trees or hibernating sites within or adjacent to any future projects within the corridor. Rice Creek North Regional Trail South Segment Zones & Use Areas