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r <br />m Audubon Chapter of Minneapolis <br />PO Box 3801 <br />Minneapolis, Minnesota 55403 <br />crrvoF <br />ORONO )—> V J <br />iniSEfinMi <br />mar 2 7 1997 <br />The Audubon Chapter of Minneapolis would like to acknowledge with deep <br />gratitude, the Conley Brooks and Bruce Dayton families for their generous <br />contributions of the Wolsfeld Woods and Wood>Rill Scientific and Natural <br />Areas (SNAs), respectively. These families ’ generous contributions <br />protect remnant parcels of the increasingly rare and fragmented “Big <br />Woods” ecosystem, providing deep and meaningful benefits not only for <br />the citizens of Orono, Media and the surrounding suburbs, but all of MN as <br />well. <br />The proposed Springhlll Golf Course will be a 185-member private course <br />encompassing approximately 200 acres. Compared to higher impact <br />developments such as traditional housing projects, (as opposed to a <br />lower-impact clustered housing project) the proposed golf course may <br />have some merit as a relatively low-impact buffer between Wolsfeld <br />Woods and Wood-Rill SNAs, If the developers use native plant species <br />landscaping that mimics the natural ecology, and if lawn chemicals are <br />used only on an extremely sparing basis. <br />However, this is in reference to the approximately 155 acre ex-farmland <br />portion of the course. It is very unfortunate and with deep regret that we <br />notice a 43-acre BIg-W oods remnant slated to be criss-crossed with <br />fairways resulting In a 50% loss. This large loss of crown-cover will <br />destroy the moist, densely-shaded understory habitat, characteristic of a <br />maple-basswood forest, resulting in the Introduction of non-native plants, <br />and the loss of fragile wildflowers, ferns, mushrooms, etc. The interior <br />forest habitat, vital for many songbirds, will be destroyed. Make no <br />mistake about it, this will not preserve the remnant woods; the result <br />will be another golf course with big trees. <br />The Big Woods Is a climax forest of hardwoods dominated by sugar maple, <br />basswood, elm, and red oak. At the time of settlement, 1.9 million acres <br />existed in Minnesota. Today only 5-10 thousand acres, (less than 1%) <br />remain, mostly in small, isolated parcels. This tract has particular <br />ecological significance because of its relatively large size, (43 acres), <br />and close proximity to Wolsfeld Woods and Wood-Rill SNAs. Remnants <br />such as this are important preserves for native flora and fauna <br />biodiversity. <br />. -I ^ . . <br />> " J .V. ■•** <br />Representing the National Audubon Society in Greater Minneapolis <br />Printed with soy ink on paper 50% recycled, 20% postconsumer waste.