Field staff and student workers visiting Buena Vista Wildlife Area

Every summer, the Arboretum field crew visits another property and meets with their land managers to learn about the site’s history, management, challenges, and more. This August the crew traveled to Buena Vista Wildlife Area just south of Steven’s Point and met with Lesa Kardash, wildlife biologist, and Zak Knab, wildlife technician, both of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. They toured the site and talked about invasive brush control, prescribed fire, grazing, partnering with local farmers, and prairie chicken management. It was especially intriguing to hear how they treated a large area of invasive willow shrubs with herbicide by helicopter in an otherwise inaccessible area. The crew learned a lot about the different ways the Buena Vista crew effectively manages the land to protect and conserve diverse habitat and wildlife. Thank you to Lesa and Zak for sharing their time and knowledge! Learn more about the Buena Vista Wildlife Area.

—Michael Hansen, land care manager