Natural Resources Restoration (NRDA)
Oconto Sites
Lower Green Bay Purple Loosestrife and Phragmites Control
Status: In Progress Location: Lower Green Bay and adjacent shoreline, Brown County, Wisconsin Description: Wetlands along the west and south shores of lower Green Bay have been degraded by stands of purple loosestrife and phragmites as well as other exotic vegetative species that have become established. These species provide little food or habitat value to wildlife and outcompete the beneficial native wetland vegetative species. Through this project, an extensive, concentrated control effort would be undertaken through a partnership effort among the federal, state and local natural resource agencies in the Green Bay area as well as interested organizations and volunteers. Efforts would focus on control of purple loosestrife and phragmites. The target area would include the coastal wetlands, adjacent shorelines and key seed source sites nearby within an area extending from Longtail Point south along the west and south bay shores to the Fox River mouth. This project will help to contribute to reestablishment of native wetland vegetation in the southwest "corner" of lower Green Bay. Benefits: Controlling the invasive, exotic vegetative species that compete with native wetland vegetation in the lower bay will contribute to improvement of the currently degraded condition of Green Bay's coastal wetlands. Reestablished wetlands in the targeted area will improve habitat for waterfowl species nesting and rearing broods in the area as well as during migration. Forster's tern, rails, bittern, egrets, other waterbird and marsh bird species as well as fish species also will benefit from improved wetland habitat. Restoration Goal(s): Wetland and Associated Upland Habitat Preservation, Reestablishment or Enhancement Timeline:Coordination with partners to confirm control methods and schedule control actions: February - May 2003
Vegetation control: June - August 2003 Project Contact:
Janet Smith
Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service
Last Revised: Tuesday March 01 2005
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