host posted on November 12, 2009 09:56
"Peter Layton, CEO and Owner of Tallgrass Restoration, LLC has been awarded the Invader Crusader Award from the Wisconsin Invasive Species Council (WISC). These awards are presented to individuals and groups for outstanding voluntary or professional efforts in the battle of invasive species. The Council recognizes a small number of people every year based on their commitment to stopping the spread of invasives through education of others and/or on-the-ground management work with measurable benefits to the people and lands of Wisconsin.
In 2003, Mr. Layton purchased Tallgrass Farm, formerly the Kidder Game Farm, with the intentions to save it from development and to restore the 220 acres to pre-settlement conditions. During the past few years, he has restored 270 acres of oak savanna, tallgrass prairie, and wetlands beginning with the removal of invasive species and initiating an invasive species control plan for his two Wisconsin properties: Tallgrass Farm and County Line Farm (50 acres). The Farm has seen 62 acres of common and glossy buckthorn removal as well as box elder and honeysuckle. This year, Mr. Layton continues the work of controlling reed canary grass in the wetlands. He also has plans to continue controlling other species like thistle and sweet clover.
A 1/2 mile down the road, Mr.Layton also owns 50 acres called County Line just off of Highway 26. This parcel has seen the removal of buckthorn, garlic mustard, and sweet clover among many other invasive species. It also hosts a small population of the Eastern Prairie Fringed Orchid.
His properties are located in the Lake Koshkonong Important Bird Area (IBA) in the Rock River Watershed. The Farms open space values include dry and mesic prairies, five ponds, 40 acres of wetlands, and 10 acres of oak savanna. The land is protected in a conservation easement by The Prairie Enthusiasts. The award ceremony will take place on May 30, 2009 at the UW-Madison Arboretum Visitor Center.
From your employees at Tallgrass Restoration, Congratulations to you, Tallgrass Farm, and our Wisconsin team, we are proud of you!"