Michler & Brown, LLC

 We will avoid for now the larger part of this question and assume that we all agree that restoration and preservation are by nature worthwhile endeavors.  The following are some concrete examples of our work and ecological benefits derived from them.

Before- Barneveld Prairie-Thomas tract  (photo from WI TNC calendar)

After- Barneveld Prairie- Thomas tract (photo by W. Brown)

Grassland birds-  Grassland birds populations have been declining significantly since 1960. Grassland birds found in this area include Northern Harrier, Bobwhite, Woodcock, Upland Sandpiper, Bell's Vireo, Dickcissel, Grasshopper, Field and Vesper Sparrow, Bobolink and Eastern and Western Meadowlark.    These birds generally nest on the ground and prefer large tracts of treeless areas for nesting.  Studies have shown that even the removal of a tree line (a service we also provide) separating two areas of suitable grassland bird habitat significantly increases the number of grassland bird nests as well and the number of successful fledglings.

Before- Mounds View Prairie (The Prairie Enthusuasts)  photo by A. Staffen

After- Mounds View Prairie (The Prairie Enthusiasts) photo by A. Staffen

Flora-  After clearing the hillside shown, thousands of additional shooting stars (Dodecatheon meadia) were observed along with the  discovery of the federally threatened prairie bush clover (Lespedeza leptostachya).  We also cleared nearby areas which resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of the state endangered Hill's thistle (Cirsium hillii).