DNR offering trees, seed for wildlife plots on May 1

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BALDWIN - Property owners interested in making their land wildlife friendly are invited to attend "Habitat Handout Day" on Saturday, May 1st and receive free trees, shrubs and seed for wildlife food plots.

The distribution takes place 9 - 10:30 a.m. at the state Department of Natural Resources work shop at 890 Spruce St. in Baldwin.

Plants and seed will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Interested landowners are asked to bring their own bags to carry seed and buckets for the seedling plants.

DNR wildlife technician Mike Soergel said wildlife shrubs, spruce trees and the corn and sorghum seed for wildlife food plots were donated by the Indianhead Chapter and Kinnickinnic Chapter of Pheasants Forever; the Pierce/St. Croix Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF); and BioDiagnostics Inc.

There will be habitat agreements to be signed - ensuring these materials will be used for wildlife habitat and not for residential or commercial purposes. Soergel said volunteers from Pheasants Forever and the NWTF do much for area wildlife populations, both by raising funds and donating their time and skills to projects.

The distribution process has worked well in past years with ample seed and plants for everyone. Each landowner will be limited to seed for three acres (about 50 pounds) and to 200 trees and shrubs.

Private land owners are key partners with the DNR in the effort to preserve and enhance wildlife populations, Soergel said.

Tags: outdoors, agriculture, wildlife