Native Prairie Restoration

The prairie is located at a private farm near the Southern Unit of the Kettle Moraine Forest in Waukesha County. The client sought to restore former pasture land into a prairie native to Southeastern Wisconsin. Working with a neighboring farmer, we applied a broad-spectrum herbicide and low-tilled the soil to eradicate the existing, non-native vegetation. Seed was then applied using a specialized native-seed drill. The seed mix comprised of dry-mesic species of grasses, sedges, and forbs. We continue to provide prescribed burn services on an annual basis, rotating different areas between spring and autumn. Native prairie plantings with the benefit of long-term maintenance and annual prescribed fire are a dynamic, ever changing asset with seasonal interest and significant savings in maintenance costs.