Contractor Art Reese cut about 260 acres of aspen forest during the winter of 2006-2007, to recreate open landscape. - FWS photo by John Braastad

After removing about 600 acres of aspen and willow the Open Landscape Area begins to take shape. - FWS Photo by John Braastad

More than 600 acres of aspen and shrubland vegetation were removed during the winter of 2006-2007, in the Agassiz Open Landscape Focus Area.  A contractor used a hydroaxe on 260 acres of aspen.  About 365 acres of shrublands were mowed by Tractor Operator VanEps, and another five acres of aspen were hydroaxed by Equipment Operator Myhrer.

The Open LandscapeFocus Area was identified during the CCP process.  Loss of over 50% of grasslands on the refuge and surrounding DNR lands brought biologists together to identify key areas to focus on for restoration. A 7-square mile area was selected in the Southeastern portion of the refuge and adjoining Elm Lake WMA.  The entire area on the refuge is 4,300 acres in size of which 700 acres were in aspen/mixed hardwood and 1,023 acres were in willow.  To date 38% of tree removal has been accomplised and 36% of brushland. 

With this effort the refuge portion of the open landscape area was connected to the DNR portion.  The DNR initited tree and shrubland removal via comercial harvest, hydroaxe, and sheering in 2002.  To date more than 600 acres have been treated on State land.  Combined there are over 1,200 acres of open landscape.  Prescribed fire will be used to maintain the open landscape.