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John Loegering, a professor in the UMC Agriculture and Natural Resources Department, sponsored van transportation to the site. Removing the tamarack trees reduces the possible perching sites for predators, Loegering said.
“Cutting them opens the landscape and improves the cover for many species,” he said. “Our work will open that brushland for the next 25 years or more.”
The 15 volunteers each logged 10 hours of time valued at about $20 an hour. The Sharp-tailed Grouse Society can use that work as an organizational match when applying for grants, Loegering said.
“That is $3,000 worth,” Loegering said, adding that the society applies for grants that typically require a 5% match. “Thus, our work ($3,000) translates into an additional $60,000 in grant funds.”