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grant assistance from the MN DNR, the City created the Roseville Parks Natural Resource Management Plant. This project invkntoried and created management plans for natural areas within five select parks in Roseville. The plan identified Reservoir Woods as a top priority for restoration/active management. The city fully supports restoration of natural areas at Reservoir Woods and will dedicate both cash and in-kind services toward its success. The residents of Roseville in conjunction with the city have created a Natural Resources Committee that serves as a source of input for natural resource management proj ects in city parks. Members of this group and other volunteers have been actively involved and provide important community support for a variety of projects including control of invasive/nonnative shrubs, seeding and planting of native plants, and citizen monitoring of natural areas. They are a reliable source of help and will be enlisted to help with this restoration project at Reservoir Woods. 33�. CompatiblePublic Use Reservoir Woods is an important open space for area residents with soft and hard-surfaced trails. As other proj ects are completed in the area, it will serve as an important anchor point in a greenway/trail connection to downtown St. PauL Local residents regularly remark on the unique opportunity that Reservoir Woods provides to experience °`wilderness" in the middle of the city and appreciate the trails that connect a diverse set of natural areas. From a resource management standpoint, the presence of trails in the oak forest and prairie areas enable cost-effective natural resource management, serving as built-in firebreaks for prescribedbums. C. Imminence of Threat The prairie and oak forests are at greatest risk of being significantly degraded. The oak forest parcels have substantial infestations of buckthorn. The prairie is being heavily encroached upon by shrubs and small trees. If left untreated, it is estimated that the prairie will be completely overtaken by invasive brush and tree species within 10 to 15 years. Likewise, the dry oak forest is at risk for losing the oak component without active management of the buckthorn and using management techniques that encourage recruitment of new oak seedlings. The city and the Natural Resource Committee volunteers have already dedicated resources to Reservoir Woods to initiate control of the buckthorn in the oak forest. Management of the prairie has included some brush clearing and the application of prescribed fire. City staff views the proposed proj ect as an important boost to their long-term dedication of managing natural resources at Reservoir Woods and a strong start for implementing the long-term natural resource management plan created for the park. D. Other Factors Reservoir Woods is an important open space for area residents and it is anticipated that it will serve as an important natural area'hub' in a greenwayltrail connection to downtown St. Paul. The park hosts perhaps the largest remnant prairie (13 acres) this close to the downtowns of either St. Paul or Minneapolis. The City of Roseville has made a long-term commitment to actively managing the natural resources in its many parks. However, it will not be possible to focus an intense effort at Reservoir Woods without outside financial assistance. CC�y of Roseville — Reservoir Woods Restoration 2003 MetroGreenways Site Restoration Grant Application .��usr �3 -4 -