Natural Resource Inventory and Assessment

Monticello, MN

WSB’s biologists worked with the City of Monticello to develop a Natural Resource Inventory and Assessment within a future annexation area. The 10,140 acre study area was evaluated for current and historical land use prior to conducting a field assessment to determine locations that had not previously been disturbed by human activity. The field assessment included using the Minnesota Land Cover Classification System (MLCCS) and DNR Element of Occurrence to assess the quality of the land cover. This involved identifying native and non-native plant species and determining the level of plant community disturbance and quality.

WSB Staff also involved the public in the process during a series of public meetings. The purpose of these meetings was to determine which areas were important to residents and where their priorities were related to protecting, preserving, or using these areas.

By combining the results of the land cover assessment with the results from the public meetings, the Monticello Natural Resource Inventory and Assessment provides the City with a road map for natural resource protection, park planning, and development for the future.

Client: City of Monticello
Completion: 2008

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