Pheasants Forever Nebraska

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Habitat Restoration at Maskenthine Recreation Area

Article by Harlee Phillips, Farm Bill Biologist II

Published March 9, 2023

In late summer of 2022, I was presented with a unique possibility for a project to restore brome and tree infested habitat out at Maskenthine Recreation Area with the Lower Elkhorn NRD and their new Recreation Area Superintendent, Tyler Warren. Tyler had a background in habitat management from his time working for Nebraska Game and Parks Commission on the state park side of things.  Tyler and I have crossed paths in the past; however, those were different partnerships and different conditions.  Now, working for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever in Nebraska as a Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist based out of Stanton, it was only a matter of time before I would cross paths with Tyler again.

This time it came when Tyler was looking for help with restoring habitat for wildlife out at Maskenthine Recreation Area. After spending the day out in the field, Tyler and I came up with over 200 acres to restore back to high quality wildlife habitat but being new to a project like this one I reached out to NGPC private lands wildlife biologists Scott Wessel and Jason Thiele, and fellow Farm Bill Biologist Rob van Lieshout.  The expertise that Scott, Jason, and Rob provided was helpful for coming up with the best possible management plan for Maskenthine.

After taking the guidance and suggestions from Scott, Jason, and Rob, Tyler and I began the work needed to develop a plan for restoring areas of heavy brome and tree encroachment back to a native warm season grass and forb planting.  Tyler and I over the fall and winter months met to finalize a plan. After we agreed on a final plan, I enrolled about 82 acres to start off with in Pathways for Wildlife- Grasslands program through Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever in Nebraska. The steps developed for the acres was to first remove the encroaching trees followed by a prescribed burn. After the burn has taken place, the regrowth from the brome would be chemically sprayed. Then, 2-4 weeks after the spraying, the fields will be planted with a native mix marking the beginning of a new habitat structure out at Maskenthine that will help bring in more wildlife on the area for viewing and recreational purposes.

Maskenthine Recreation Area was selected as the starting point for this type of project because it was the first public access area owned and managed by the LENRD. Most of Maskenthine is former cropland seeded to grass in the early 80’s, part of Nebraska’s first Focus on Pheasants efforts.  Due to natural habitat degradation and invasive species out on Maskenthine, we made the management plan to seed in a plant community mix to benefit ring-necked pheasants and other wildlife found on the area. The mix has 8 bunch grass species to help achieve these goals and 27 different forbs and legumes to attract pollinators and other insects while also providing seeds as a food source for wildlife.  The seed mix was designed by Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever in Nebraska to offer the best wildlife value to attract and support populations of different wildlife species with a focus to increase ring-necked pheasant, quail, and songbird populations in the area.  This will also help increase the recreational value of the area by encouraging outdoor enthusiasts like bird watchers, hikers, hunters, school and community groups, and anyone else who is looking to enjoy the great outdoors.

With the success of this project, it will pave the way for similar projects, including finishing the 200 acres at Maskenthine, and improving other habitat areas across the state on other recreational areas. This project will help build the working relationships of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever in Nebraska, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, and the local Natural Resource Districts.

Harlee (2)

About the Author: Harlee Phillips

Harlee is a Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist II for Nebraska Pheasants Forever based out of Stanton and covers Stanton, Madison, Pierce, Cuming and Wayne counties.  He works to improve habitat in his coverage area and works by the phrase “do good things for wildlife” which came from a former boss of his.  He enjoys fishing and hunting with his wife chasing whitetail deer and hooking Northern Pike.

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