From inventory to restoration—using nature-based solutions to help the keystone oaks reclaim their ecosystem from invasive species

Reservoir Woods Restoration Project

The City of Roseville engaged our ecosystem restoration specialists to conduct a natural areas inventory of Reservoir Woods. This 115-acre (47-hectare) site includes a historical, open-air reservoir and presented an opportunity to restore several remnant native plant communities including prairie, oak woodland, and globally imperiled oak savanna. Considered a keystone species, oak trees support the greatest diversity and biomass of insects that birds need to feed themselves of any tree in North America.

We worked with the City to develop a restoration plan for the site and obtain outside funding to initiate and sustain restoration of these important remnant oak communities. In the two decades prior to these efforts, the woodland and savanna areas had been aggressively colonized by nonnative, invasive brush and trees. To restore these areas, we conducted invasive brush and tree management followed by native seeding to complement remnant native ground cover. Ongoing maintenance includes spot treatment of invasive species as well as prescribed burning.

Our team also designed wildlife monitoring activities for volunteers, which provide important ongoing data about the positive responses from frogs, toads, and birds. These efforts benefit several state-listed species and designated Species of Greatest Conservation Need.

Reservoir Woods has since undergone significant improvement in native plant community composition and been used by University of Minnesota researchers documenting successful management of the invasive, nonnative common buckthorn. Additionally, professors at several local universities bring their classes to Reservoir Woods to highlight successful ecological restoration practices.