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In December 2001, .two. landowners near Shelton enlisted the support of the Game and <br />Parks Commission and US Fish and Wildlife Service to remove trees and brush from <br />several islands and create a warm water slough. These landowners were primarily <br />interested - in improving duck and goose hunting but sandhill cranes and potentially <br />whooping cranes, least terns and piping plovers will also benefit. <br />During October 2001 a producer along the Platte River near Kearney requested the Game <br />and Parks Commission's assistance to remove cedar trees from a pasture to improve <br />grazing and wildlife productivity. Cedars were removed using funds from the Game and <br />Parks Commission, US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Nebraska Environmental Trust. <br />The Commission is working with the producer to set up a planned grazing system. Sandhill <br />cranes and other wildlife will benefit from this project. <br />Successful projects with US Fish and Wildlife Service and Threatened & Endangered <br />species <br />Section 6 Funding Program <br />Under Section 6 of the Endangered Species Act, the US Fish and Wildlife Service provides <br />funds annually for work on federally listed species. This can include inventory, research <br />or conservation projects. In the past the Commission has received funds to do work <br />(primarily research and inventory) on the species .including: whooping crane, least tern, <br />piping plover, American burying beetle, pallid sturgeon, Topeka shiner, western prairie <br />fringed orchid, blowout penstemon and the Ute Lady's tresses orchid. Through this <br />research we have gained .a better understanding of the ecology, biology and distribution <br />of these species which in turn has aided the development of more effective conservation <br />strategies for these species. <br />Blowout Penstemon <br />The US Fish and Wildlife Service provided funding for research to better understand what <br />management practices would benefit this species. In addition, the US .Fish and Wildlife - <br />Service has collaborated with University of Nebraska - Lincoln researchers to re- introduce <br />this species at several sites on National Wildlife Refuges in Nebraska. The Penstemon is <br />making progress toward recovery. <br />Western Prairie Fringed Orchid Pesticide Protection <br />The Commission.is currently conducting research in cooperation with landowners in Pierce. <br />County to develop methods for herbicide. application that will not be harmful to the .orchid <br />but will meet the landowners objectives of complying with the noxious weed_.control act.. <br />The US Fish and Wildlife Service is a cooperator in the project. Once the techniques have <br />been'developed, we will develop a program to provide financial and technical assistance <br />to landowners to incorporate the methods. <br />on <br />