By Sarah Light, staff writer

OWATONNA &8212; Several dozen people gathered Tuesday morning during the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Roadsides for Wildlife kickoff event at Cabela&8217;s to discuss integrating native grasses and wildflowers into southeastern Minnesota&8217;s roadsides.

The Roadsides for Wildlife program promotes integrated vegetation management practices that enhance wildlife habitat and environmental benefits on roadsides.

Attendees heard from Daryl Smith, with the University of Northern Iowa and Tallgrass Prairie Center, about Iowa&8217;s implementation of integrated roadsides.

The program features native grasses and wildflowers and strives to work with, instead of against, the laws of nature in managing vegetation.

By bringing back natural vegetation mixtures to the roadsides, there are many benefits, he said.

First, native vegetation brings about extensive root systems and restores habitats, Smith said.

&8220;It&8217;s fun to go to work everyday because we&8217;re convinced we are restoring a natural heritage,&8221; Smith said.

Iowa began integrating its own roadsides in 1985.

Second, integrated roadsides also increase infiltration to the soil, restore visual interest to the roadways and increase snow storage.

Minnesota&8217;s state leaders are looking at Iowa&8217;s model for implementation.

Minnesota state Sen. Satveer Chaudhary, DFL-Fridley, who also spoke during the event, said he was excited to see the turnout, which he said was twice as many people as last year&8217;s same event.

&8220;It is an indication of how big of an issue this has become,&8221; Chaudhary said.

He explained how he thinks that discussions on this topic help to decrease many of the myths that are going around related to this subject.

He pointed out how in many places in the state, pheasant hatches happen along the roadsides.

&8220;If this is where our pheasants are coming from, then by God we need to do something to protect these habitats,&8221; Chaudhary said.

He said as a freshman legislator, he made it a point to bring up many of these important issues.

During the event, attendees also heard from, Richard Fetterly with Rice County Integrated Roadsides; Frank Pafko, Minnesota Department of Transportation chief environmental officer; Robert Slater, Minnesota Department of Transportation District 6 environmental coordinator and Carmelita Nelson, Department of Natural Resources roadsides coordinator.

Following the speakers, attendees were given the opportunity to ask questions and to discuss some of the issues.

Wayne Edgerton, agriculture policy coordinator with the Department of Natural Resources, said the event helps raise concerns and interests in the roadsides plan.

&8220;It&8217;s gaining momentum,&8221; Edgerton said. &8220;It&8217;s just really getting going.&8221;

He pointed out the benefits of the program including lower maintenance and better safety on the roads.

For more information, visit www.dnr.state.mn.us. or call (507) 359-6036.

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Advantages of native grasses and wildflowers on roadsides:

Cool and warm season growth: Native grasses and wildflowers grow in diverse mixtures that bloom continuously from spring through fall.

Roots for weed control: Prairie plant teamwork underground to occupy all available root space. Extensive roots choke out weeds and resist invasion of brush.

Local adaptation: Native grasses produce more foliage on poor soils than exotic grasses.

Long life: Prairie plant communities dominated the Great Plains for more than a century.

Low maintenance: No spraying, mowing or fertilizing is needed to keep native plant communities healthy.

Wildlife habitat: Native plant communities provide patchy cover where wildlife can nest, rest and feed.

Natural heritage: Native prairie communities are largely responsible for developing the region&8217;s rich black soil.

&8212; Information from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Roadsides for Wildlife Program