Greening Begins Restoration
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Uncas Dunes Scientific & Natural Area, Sherburne County

One of Only Two Sites with the Rare Uncas Skipper Butterfly

April 6, 2009

To Partners and Friends of Great River Greening:

Great River Greening is known for bringing together multiple partners to develop and implement successful restoration projects. Now that proficiency is being directed to the Uncas Dunes Scientific & Natural Area (SNA), as part of a larger push for the entire Anoka Sandplain region. Beginning in February with a Woody Biomass Harvest involving the Department of Natural Resource’s SNA, Forestry, and Woody Biomass Project groups, the restoration continues with additional woody encroachment and brush removal, prescribed burns, seed collection and seeding, funded by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service as well as the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources through the Sherburne County Soil and Water Conservation District.

The Uncas Dunes SNA supports some of the best oak savanna and dune habitat in the state. The Dunes are home to a variety of creatures that would not be able to live in the deciduous and coniferous forests that blanket much of our state. A great example is the Blanding's turtle, which often uses sandy grass plains like Uncas SNA as a safe place to lay eggs.  The site is named for the rare Uncas Skipper, an endangered butterfly, and is one of only two sites in the state where this species is found. The area’s degradation threatens these species and others.

Volunteers have a vital role in restoring the area to natural sandy grassland. The restoration project is still in its infancy so our spring volunteers will lay the foundation for future projects. Volunteers at our May 2nd event will assist in removing cut brush, smaller invasive trees, and other invasives to maintain the area’s ecological integrity. In addition, volunteers will prepare the site for seed collection and planting that will take place at events in the fall. To register or learn more about the Saturday, May 2 volunteer event contact Mark Turback, Volunteer Program and Event Manager at 651-665-9500 x11or visit www.greatrivergreening.org.

Don’t Miss A Million Shades of Green Gala
There is still time to purchase tickets for the third annual A Million Shades of Green Gala presented by Xcel Energy, Saturday, April 18 at Southview Country Club in Saint Paul. Two hundred guests attended last year’s gala, described as one of the more enchanting evenings of the spring season!  The evening begins at 6:30 pm with a reception and a silent auction featuring items you won’t want to miss bidding on. Dinner begins at 8:00 pm followed by A Million Shades of Green Awards Ceremony. Tickets for the gala are $100 per person, $1,000 for tables of ten. To reserve, telephone Justin at 665-9500x18 or e-mail jkutzer@greatrivergreening.org.

Major funding for Great River Greening is provided by The McKnight Foundation.