Rollie Johnson volunteers, Minnesota Conservation Corp and Crow Wing County Sentence to Serve crews completed a major restoration project on Big Island in Upper Whitefish Lake in early June.

The Rollie Johnson Natural and Recreational Area Joint Powers Board received an $18,000, two-year grant in 2010 from the Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program. The funds were used to restore 600 feet of shoreline and steep slope on the east side of Big Island. A requirement of the grant was a 50 percent in-kind match, which was easily met by volunteer hours and boat usage. The crews worked seven long, hot and windy days in May and June to get the project completed.

Bio-logs were staked along the toe of the slope to prevent erosion. The slope was seeded with native grasses, native wildflowers and oats. Coco-mat, a fabric, and brush bundles were then staked alternately up the 40-foot slope. Trees, shrubs and plants were individually planted through holes cut in the fabric. Sod flats were then staked in place above the brush bundles and the bio-logs. The use of native plants for the project was important as they will have the best chance of survival. Volunteer crews will water the area on an as-needed basis with an engine driven water pump and pontoon boat so that the vegetation will have a better chance of surviving.

A major challenge of the project was the transporting of materials and personnel from the Lower Hay Lake Public Access to Big Island. Bertha Boatworks loaned a barge for a day to move the brush bundles, bio-logs and fabric. Plants and people were transported by volunteer pontoon boats and runabouts.

This project was an example of what can be done to stabilize the toe of a shoreline and to restore a steep, sandy slope.  For more information on the project, contact Jim Brandt at (218)543-4392.

Big Island was recently designated as a High Conservation Value Forest which made the restoration work valuable for the preservation of the unique features of the island.