A black-eyed-susan blooms among big bluestem seedlings. - FWS photo by Steven Kahl

A landscape view of the prairie restoration on the Sawatski Tract. - FWS photo by Steven Kahl

A visit to the Sawatski tract at Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge would offer a view of 138 acres of soybeans and little if any wildlife in 2005.  In 2007, this site provides habitat for a wide array of wildlife.  Black swallowtails and monarchs can be seen coursing over the area searching for nectar and larval food plants.  Northern harriers and American kestrels crisscross the airspace foraging for meadow voles.  White-tailed deer and wild turkeys are commonly seen and vesper and savannah sparrows now nest on this tract.

This transformation is due to a cooperative effort among several organizations.  Refuge staff seeded the site with a mix of native prairie grasses and wildflowers, including little bluestem, Indian grass, black-eyed-susan and yellow coneflower.  A North American Wetlands Conservation Act grant funded the seed purchase.  Ducks Unlimited administered this grant and provided matching funds.