AriensCo Conservation

About the Program
AriensCo Conservation is located in Wisconsin approximately 25 miles south of Green Bay. This site is located in an urban/suburban area where pollinator and other native habitat has been greatly reduced, so the project team manages over 70 acres of unique oak savanna habitat and additional forested land to support native flora and fauna.

Practices and Impacts

• Habitats - Other Habitats - Oak Savanna - The total size managed is 75 acres. 75% of the plant species are native and 25% of the plant species are nonnative. The team's objectives include establishing at least 50 acres of oak savanna by 2025 and developing 75% native vegetation cover in prairie areas within three years of seeding. Team members manage the habitat area through tilling; mowing to scatter native seed and combat invasive species; using herbicide to kill grasses and purple loosetrife; planting; and seeding. The vegetation and wildlife use are monitored. 
• The avian project on-site targets native eastern bluebirds, black-capped chickadees and tree swallows, with a goal of increasing the population of eastern bluebirds and other cavity nesters on the AriensCo property by supporting activities that foster the resurgence of bluebirds. Nest boxes with predator guards are installed for breeding, nesting and shelter. House sparrows present predation issues, so nest boxes are pulled each winter to keep the sparrows out. The sparrows are also trapped from the site. Nesting bluebirds and tree swallows are banded, and the related data is submitted to the Bluebird Restoration Association of Wisconsin. In 2022, two bluebird nests producedfive5 hatchlings, all of which successfully fledged. 
• The total size of the forest habitat managed is 80 acres. The team works to protect, preserve and maintain the existing forest habitat by removing invasive plants, cutting dead trees on the trail and planting native plants and trees. Snags are retained, and understory plants and trees are monitored.
• The team is working to increase the abundance and diversity of bumblebee species at the AriensCo Conservation site. For the 2021 season, 237 bumblebees of eight different species were observed. In 2022, 313 bumblebees of 11 different species were observed. Monitoring training is provided by the Bumble Bee Brigade.