Vegetative Surveys of Saratoga Sandplains Wildlife Management Area RFP

Description: Requires vegetative surveys to be conducted in the Saratoga Sandplains Wildlife Management Area to document current habitat conditions. Management to benefit the endangered Karner blue butterfly and threatened frosted elfin butterfly has entailed restoration of early successional stage habitat and planting of wild blue lupine, grasses, and other vegetation that will sustain the populations going into the future. This habitat by its nature requires removal or suppression of species that would crowd out the desired species. Surveys of the butterflies indicate that the habitat has been colonized. It is necessary to survey key components of the habitat to be sure the quality of the habitat can sustain the populations of the butterflies at a level that will maintain recovery goals. It is also necessary to quantify problem vegetation such as invasive species that require control. Contract term: March 1, 2027 - February 29, 2028.