Grazing Management Underway at Arbor Lake WMA

© 2007 James Ed. Ducey

The extent of grass cover at Arbor Lake WMA is currently being managed through grazing of cattle.

Stock panels have been placed across the entries to the parking lot, but the area remains open, said Chuck Lesiak, with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, and manager of the area.

There are 36 cattle are now present on the 63-acre tract. “They will remain as long as there is sufficient feed and are creating the desired results,” Lesiak said. “That will probably be later this month.”

Grazing will continue to be a tool used for managing the beetles and birds.

Extent of water at Arbor Lake WMA. 11 Sept 2007 photos by J.E. Ducey.

“The extent of grazing depends on the response,” Lesiak said. “We are trying to reduce the vegetation and create areas more attractive to tiger beetles. There will probably be some grazing next spring to impact the cattails.”

Lesiak also noted that “there is potential harm to tiger beetles if cattle are allowed to graze where larva are present. An inventory was done and those areas of concern" were surrounded by electric fence to exclude grazing.

Water levels will continue to be maintained at a lower level this autumn and winter, Lesiak said. “The water control gate will be raised for spring migration, but not to the extent it was this past year.”

Grazing that removes vegetative cover is also known to be helpful for wildbirds, making the water environment more accessible in a wetland.

Arbor Lake WMA and Frank Shoemaker Marsh, both on north 27th Street, are now being managed with a greater focus on saline habitat needs of tiger beetles.

Both tracts are owned by the City of Lincoln.