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Bluestem Prairie SNA

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Foxhome Prairie

Frenchman’s Blu� SNA

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Margherita Preserve-Audubon Prairie

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Nelson WildlifeSanctuary

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Ottawa Blu�s

PankratzMemorial

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Pembina TrailPreserve SNA

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Seven SistersPrairie

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Straight RiverWild�ower

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SusieIsland

Town Hall Prairie

Trout Lily Preserve

Twin Valley Prairie SNA

Upper ManitouForest Preserve

Wallace C. DaytonConservation& Wildlife Area

Weaver Dunes SNA

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The Nature Conservancy in Minnesota

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O�ceConservancy preserveFeatured Conservancy preserve

EcoregionsNorthern Tallgrass PrairiePrairie-Forest BorderSuperior Mixed Forest

The Nature Conservancyin

Minnesota

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nature.org/minnesotapreserves

Central Minnesota Office14082 Fruit Farm RoadSt. Joseph, MN 56374Phone (320) 363-3881

Northeast Minnesota Office394 Lake Avenue SouthSuite 308Duluth, MN 55802Phone: (218) 727-6119

Northern Tallgrass Prairie Ecoregion Office15337 28th Avenue SouthGlyndon, MN 56547Phone: (218) 498-2679

Southeast Minnesota Office136 St. Anthony StreetP.O. Box 405Preston, MN 55965Phone: (507) 765-2450

Tallgrass Aspen Parkland Office202 N. Main StreetP.O. Box 139Karlstad, MN 56732Phone: (218) 436-3455

The Nature Conservancy in Minnesota1101 West River ParkwaySuite 200Minneapolis, MN 55415Phone: (612) 331-0700E-mail: minnesota@tnc.org

Great blue heron © Linda Huhn

The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to conserve the lands and waters on

which all life depends.

To minimize disturbance to natural habitats, we do not maintain trails or visitor facilities of any kind at our Minnesota preserves. You will not find any staff on duty. Please plan your visit accordingly.

Moe Woods © Mark Lissick/ColdSnap Photography

minnesota preserve guide

During the past 50 years, The Nature Conservancy in Minnesota has helped protect more than 650,000 acres of the state’s best prairies, forests, lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands, preserving land, water and wildlife in virtually every corner of the state.

From the dense forests of the Boundary Waters to the wildflowers of the southern prairies, Minnesota’s natural landscape is a state treasure.

Since 1958, The Nature Conservancy has worked hard to keep it that way. Guided by science and in concert with partners, the Conservancy identifies high-priority landscapes that, if protected, can conserve the lands and waters upon which life in Minnesota depends.

Today, the Conservancy manages more than 50 Minnesota preserves, totaling approximately 70,000 acres—triple the amount of land under protection a mere decade ago. This preserve guide gives you a closer look at 12 of these special places. For more information on our other preserves, please visit nature.org/minnesotapreserves.

We are inspired by the commitment and dedication of our members and supporters, without whom our work would be impossible. We hope you will use this map to explore the lands and waters you have helped to protect, for people, for nature and for generations to come.

Preserve Visitation GuidelinesTo minimize disturbance to wild places, the Conservancy does not maintain elaborate trail infrastructure or facilities. You will not find staff on duty at the preserves. Therefore, we ask you to prepare for your visit and take proper precautions while on site.

• Wearcomfortablefootwearsuitableforhiking.

• Toprotectyourselffromticks,poisonivyorpoisonsumac,wear long pants and tuck them into your socks.

• Youmaywanttobringthefollowingitemstogetthemostfrom your visit and to protect yourself from the elements:

– Binoculars – Camera – Compass– Field guides – Full water bottle – Insect repellant– Rain gear – Small first aid kit – Sunscreen

EcoregionsEcoregion/noun: A large area of land and water defined by geography, topography, climate, vegetation and other easily recognized natural patterns of the landscape rather than by political borders.

Hiking at Sugar Hills, Itasca County © George Hornick

Ordway Prairie © Mark Lissick/ColdSnap Photography

Northern Tallgrass Prairie Ecoregion

The Northern Tallgrass Prairie Ecoregion covers the entire western border and southwestern corner of Minnesota. It is known for warm-season grasses such as big bluestem, Indian grass and switchgrass, as well as lovely prairie wildflowers. This ecoregion straddles two major continental divides, including portions of the Missouri, Mississippi and Red river watersheds.

Generations ago, a vast, rolling prairie dominated millions of acres in this part of the Upper Midwest. Today, less than 1 percent of Minnesota’s prairie remains unpaved or unplowed. However, important prairie remnants remain and are the focus of the Conservancy’s work in this ecoregion.

Prairie-Forest Border Ecoregion

The Prairie-Forest Border Ecoregion curves from Minnesota’s southeastern corner up through the center of the state. It represents the transition from prairie to northern forest. Small forests and scattered prairies and savannas can be found here. Prairie grasses and northern hardwood trees, such as red and white oaks, basswoods and maples, are common.

The biggest threat to this region is development. In fact, it is home to the most rapidly developing part of the state, the St. Cloud-to-Rochester corridor. Protecting native species from the hazards of unguided development is an important part of the Conservancy’s work.

Superior Mixed Forest Ecoregion

The Superior Mixed Forest Ecoregion, covering almost the entire northern half of Minnesota, represents the southern extension of the boreal forest of Canada. Red and white pines once dominated this region. Today, trembling aspen, balsam fir, and white or black spruce are more common sights.

This region includes two national forests and the popular Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, where majestic, 200-year-old pines can still be seen. Climate change and encroaching development pose two of the greatest challenges to this area, constituting the focus of the Conservancy’s efforts in the forest.

Child with blazing star flowers © Brian Winter/TNC

Paul Bunyan Savanna © Christina Hausman/TNC

Lake at Sugar Hills, Itasca County © ColdSnap Photography

For directions to any of these preserves, please visit nature.org/minnesotapreserves.

OfficeConservancy preserveFeatured Conservancy preserve

EcoregionsNorthern Tallgrass PrairiePrairie-Forest BorderSuperior Mixed Forest

The Nature Conservancyin

Minnesota

Northern Tallgrass Prairie Ecoregion — 5,918 acresOne of the last native prairies in the state, Bluestem Prairie offers visitors a unique glimpse of the past, reminiscent of the vast prairie that once covered western Minnesota and North and South Dakota. As a result, this Clay County preserve is considered one of the most important northern tallgrass prairies in the United States. Bluestem Prairie is part of a larger native grassland and wetland complex within the 600,000-acre Agassiz Beach Ridges landscape that also includes Margherita-Audubon Preserve, Buffalo River State Park and numerous privately owned parcels.

The flora and fauna on display at Bluestem Prairie make a visit particularly worthwhile. Many different bird species nest here, at least five of which are considered threatened, endangered or of special concern. Every spring, visitors come from all over the state to watch the the elaborate courtship displays of prairie chickens on their booming grounds. In addition, three rare butterflies can be seen here.

Bluestem Prairie boasts more than 313 plant species, including the rare and threatened western prairie fringed orchid. Others include small white lady’s slipper, blanket flower and oat grass.

You can visit Bluestem Prairie anytime to observe migratory birds or to enjoy a walk through the grasslands. Reservations are necessary for viewing the prairie chickens during booming season. Hunting is allowed by permit on certain parts of the preserve. For more information, call the Bluestem Prairie Office at (218) 498-2679.

To get here: From Moorhead, drive east about 14 miles on U.S. Highway 10 to the intersection with State Highway 9. Turn south, travel 1.5 miles, then turn east on 17th Avenue South. Continue for 1.5 miles and park in the lot on the north side of the road.

Northern Tallgrass Prairie Ecoregion — 35,000 acres (Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge)The Glacial Ridge Project represents the largest prairie and wetland restoration project in U.S. history. Spreading across northwestern Minnesota’s Polk County, this vast piece of land once formed the edge of an ancient glacial lake. A unique mix of prairie and wetland created ideal habitat for wildlife.

By August 2000, all but 5,000 acres of the Glacial Ridge area had been turned into fields and ditches for gravel extraction, crop production and cattle grazing. That’s when the Conservancy stepped in. With the help of dozens of partners, the Conservancy is replanting Glacial Ridge’s native prairies and restoring its wetlands. The land itself is healing.

Glacial Ridge already hosts a great diversity of plant species, including the western prairie fringed orchid, which has been listed as a threatened species in the United States. Glacial Ridge is also a haven for wildlife. In recent years, visitors and land stewards have spotted moose, golden and bald bald eagles, peregrine falcons, whooping cranes and nesting burrowing owls and owlets.

When the project is complete, visitors will be able to enjoy more than 8,000 acres of restored wetlands and 16,000 acres of restored prairie.

The Conservancy’s partners on this project include: local, state and federal agencies; surrounding communities; and several universities. In 2004, Glacial Ridge was named a National Wildlife Refuge.

To get here: From Fertile, head north on State Highway 32 for about 13 miles. The Conservancy office will be on the left. From Crookston, take State Highway 2 east for approximately 12 miles. Then go south on Highway 32. The office will be on your right.

Northern Tallgrass Prairie Ecoregion — 1,364 acresSituated along a steep valley in southwestern Minnesota’s Lincoln County, Hole-in-the-Mountain Prairie bursts with color thanks to more than 200 species of wildflowers that carpet its terrain.

This half-mile-wide valley forms the headwaters of Flandreau Creek, which feeds the Big Sioux River. Native Americans once called the valley “Mountain Pass” or “Hole-in-the-Mountain.”

Today, Hole-in-the-Mountain Prairie provides excellent habitat for a range of species: nesting waterfowl and grassland birds; rare, prairie-dependent insects; and more than 70 species of grasses, trees and shrubs, including at least six native plants of special concern. Unique to this preserve are 25 butterfly species, including the Dakota skipper, which only exists on a few, scattered prairie habitats across the Midwest.

Hole-in-the Mountain is the last remnant of a 4,300-acre native prairie, most of which has been converted to farmland. The Conservancy has purchased nearby parcels of land and transferred these to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, which manages adjacent lands for wildlife and natural area use.

The best time of year to visit is spring through fall, when the wildflowers are in bloom.

To get here: From the City of Lake Benton, head south on U.S. Highway 75 for 1.5 miles and park at the turn-out along the west side of the road.

Superior Mixed Forest Ecoregion — 1,734 acresIn north-central Morrison County, the Lake Alexander Preserve stands at the center of a 180,000-acre medley of oak forest, wetlands, ponds and pine.

Years of logging, road construction and development have created forested pockets that cannot adequately shelter the wildlife that relies on the forest habitat. This forest fragmentation is the greatest threat to the region’s natural landscape. Working with Camp Ripley, a neighboring regional training facility for military and state government, and the nearby Pillsbury State Forest, the Conservancy has used the Lake Alexander Preserve to form a forested corridor, providing ample habitat for native plants and animals to thrive.

The Upper Midwest’s healthiest population of the declining red-shouldered hawk finds refuge at Lake Alexander. The preserve also offers interior forest habitat where songbirds can safely nest far from predators. In addition, visitors can catch glimpses of the great blue heron, common loon, bald eagle and osprey. Other wildlife includes timber wolves, black bears and Blanding’s turtles.

The plant life here offers equal diversity, including willow, water lily and narrow-leaf cattail in the meadow and aquatic areas of the preserve, and oak, aspen, paper birch and pine in the upland forest.

While trails are not formally maintained, visitors can enjoy hiking and birding on abandoned logging roads that cross the preserve. Visitors in the summer will see the fragrant water lilies in full bloom and brilliant foliage each fall.

To get here: From Little Falls, take U.S. Highway 10 north for 15 miles until you reach Cushing. At Cushing, drive north on County Road 5 for five miles to the preserve site and watch for Conservancy signs.

Prairie-Forest Border Ecoregion — 656 acresLocated in central Minnesota’s Pope County, Ordway Prairie offers visitors a patchwork of prairie, woods and wetlands.

Prominent features here are the sharply rolling, glacially deposited hills, on top of which lies dry hill prairie. Scattered among the hills are wetlands, including ponds, marshes, flooded willow thickets and fens.

In late spring, shades of blue from the flowering blue-eyed grass wash over Ordway Prairie’s hillside. As the flowers fade, the grasses left behind streak the slopes with a yellow glow, an especially wonderful sight on sunny days from June through early July.

Expanding towns and continuing agricultural pressures have made protecting this habitat an important priority. Thirty years ago, the relatively undisturbed quality of Ordway’s prairie and wetlands attracted the Conservancy’s attention. The Conservancy created the preserve with help from Katharine Ordway, a Minnesota native whose financial gifts helped save a combined 31,000 acres of Great Plains prairie throughout the Midwest region.

Visitors also can enjoy other sites within the Ordway Prairie complex, including the 800-acre Leif Mountains, the 312-acre Moe Woods and the 720-acre Sheepberry Fen.

To get here: From Brooten, travel west on County Road 8 for seven miles, then turn south onto State Highway 104. Go south three miles to the northwest corner of the preserve (on the east side of the road). Continue a short distance to a pull-off for a historical marker, and park there to see the preserve.

Superior Mixed Forest Ecoregion — 164 acresFormed by the waves of Glacial Lake Brainerd, the Paul Bunyan Savanna in central Minnesota’s Crow Wing County is one of only five jack pine savannas in the state.

Located in the heart of Brainerd, the savanna managed to escape development and was acquired by the Conservancy more than 20 years ago.

The combination of prairie and jack pine gives the Paul Bunyan Savanna its unique character. Prairie forbs and grasses grow in the sandy soils, offering visitors a shifting collage of colors from spring through fall.

The forested areas shelter woodland wildflowers such as shinleaf, blue-bead lily and pink lady’s slipper. In the savanna, prairie flowers and a host of grasses flourish under the jack pine canopy.

Visitors can access this rare habitat thanks to a system of hiking, jogging and cross-country ski trails that cross both the savanna and the adjacent Northland Arboretum. The savanna also abuts the Paul Bunyan Trail, a popular walking, hiking and snowmobile trail maintained by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

To get here: From Brainerd, follow State Highway 210/371 to NW Seventh Street. Go north on NW Seventh for a few blocks to the Northland Arboretum entrance. Parking is available at the arboretum for a small fee.

Prairie chicken © Harvey Payne Glacial Ridge © Karla Suckling Hole-in-the-Mountain Prairie © Richard Hamilton Smith Lake Alexander at sunset © Jim Gindorff Autumn at Ordway Prairie © Mark Lissick/ColdSnap Photography Northland Arboretum and Paul Bunyan Savanna © TNC

Superior Mixed Forest Ecoregion — 100 acresA remarkable landscape unfolds along the far northeastern tip of the Minnesota/Ontario border, home to a unique array of wildlife, forest and rock formations.

The Pigeon River Cliffs Preserve is situated amid the Rove Slate Hills and the Pigeon River Watershed. While reaching the preserve requires some hiking, the spectacular views of South Fowl Lake and the Pigeon River Valley make this an extraordinary trip.

Pigeon River Cliffs features alpine plants from the Rocky Mountains and the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and Arctic plants from Hudson Bay. Wildlife include moose, wolves, black bear and bobcat. Waterfowl and raptors nest here; and bald eagles are a common sight overhead.

Pigeon River is one of the few major tributaries to Lake Superior without commercial or industrial development. As a result, the watershed plays a critical role in preserving the Great Lakes’ natural diversity and the health of the region’s river ecosystems.

Visitors here can enjoy the Border Route Hiking Trail, and public hunting is allowed. For more information, contact the Northeast Minnesota Office at (218) 727-6119.

To get here: From Hovland, travel north on County Road 16 (Arrowhead Trail) for 15 miles. Turn right onto South Fowl Road and travel approximately 1.5 miles, until the road ends. Park here and walk north on the narrow road for slightly more than one-quarter mile. Look for the Border Route Trail heading east (on your right) and follow it up and along the cliffs.

Home Falls on the Pigeon River © Tom Duffus/TNC

Northern Tallgrass Prairie Ecoregion — 160 acresSituated in McLeod County a mere 45 minutes from downtown Minneapolis, Schaefer Prairie stands as a reminder of the native grassland that once blanketed millions of acres across the Midwest.

Today, the rich soils of wet, mesic and dry prairies at Schaefer harbor more than 245 plant species. This diversity is highly unusual given Schaefer Prairie’s close proximity to urban development.

From May through September, visitors to Schaefer Prairie can witness a beautiful display of wildflowers. Among the blooming plants are aster, primrose, blazing star, violet, goldenrod and buffalo bean.

Birders and butterfly enthusiasts can find much to love here. Two butterflies of special concern, the Poweshiek skipper and regal fritillary, inhabit Schaefer Prairie. A significant number of bird species find refuge here, including the upland sandpiper, bobolink and American bittern. In addition, Mima mounds, low rounded mounds used by hibernating toads, occur in wetland areas of the preserve.

To get here: From Glencoe, drive west on U.S. Highway 212 for seven miles. Turn south on Nature Avenue (a gravel road), opposite County Road 4. Drive one-half mile to the first intersection. The preserve lies southwest of that intersection. Proceed on the gravel road to the southeast corner of the prairie.

Northern Tallgrass Prairie Ecoregion — 136 acresIn west-central Minnesota’s Otter Tail County, the “mountain” of Seven Sisters Prairie rises 190 feet above Lake Christina. Visitors can marvel at the panoramic views of the lake, the surrounding countryside and the rolling topography of the Alexandria moraine.

The preserve gets its name from the moraine’s key feature: a series of seven knolls, or “sisters.”

The unusual plants at Seven Sisters Prairie have attracted botanists since 1893. The combination of dry and wet environments supports a variety of plants, including a dozen types of plants at the eastern edge of their ranges that are more commonly found in North and South Dakota. All three grama grasses can be found at Seven Sisters, and prairie June grass, needle-and-thread grass and thread-leaved sedge also are common.

Lake Christina is an important stop for many species of waterfowl during migration. The lake’s average depth of four feet allows a profusion of water plants, which nourish large flocks of canvasback ducks. Other bird species include the Baltimore oriole and the lark sparrow.

To get here: Take the Ashby exit from I-94 and head north through town on State Highway 78. Seven Sisters Preserve is the notable ridge on the north side of the road, about three miles east of Ashby, along the shore of Lake Christina.

Great Lakes Ecoregion — 2,210 acresAt the Upper Manitou Forest Preserve, visitors can discover one of the more intact examples of northern hardwood forest anywhere on Lake Superior’s North Shore.

Situated in Lake County along Lake Superior’s northwestern edge, the breathtaking Upper Manitou Forest includes old-growth sugar maple, yellow birch, white spruce and white cedar. Many trees are estimated at more than 300 years old—so large they cannot be encircled by one person’s arms.

Visitors can experience the forest in its natural, self-sustaining condition. Young trees grow in the openings created by the natural deaths of older trees. Ancient, decaying logs on the forest floor nurse seedlings to life, securing a source for autumn’s brilliant colors.

Many large mammals find habitat in Upper Manitou Forest, including moose, bear and wolf. Visitors may catch glimpses of these majestic animals, but are much more likely to spot signs of their presence, such as scat and tracks.

Several songbird species can be seen and heard here throughout the year, finding haven in the deep woods far from predators. Of particular interest to birders are the spring and fall migrations, when seasonal avian visitors can lead to rare species sightings.

Back-country skiing is a great way to visit Upper Manitou Forest. Public hunting also is allowed here. For more information, contact the Northeast Minnesota Office at (218) 727-6119.

To get here: From Finland, take Lake County Route 7 toward the Crosby-Manitou State Park entrance. Continue approximately 2 miles, past the park entrance to Earl West Road. The preserve boundary is approximately 3.5 miles up the road and marked by a Conservancy preserve sign.

Northern Tallgrass Prairie Ecoregion — 15,150 acresThe northernmost Conservancy preserve in Minnesota offers visitors a vista of trembling aspen, balsam poplar, prairies and fens at the heart of 1.2 million acres straddling the Minnesota-Manitoba border.

Named for one of the state’s foremost conservationists, the Wallace C. Dayton Conservation and Wildlife Area adjoins numerous wildlife management areas, forming a corridor that protects threatened habitat and ensures the free movement of the majestic animals that inhabit the region.

Created by Glacial Lake Agassiz, the landscape is notable because so much of it remains intact. The preserve harbors vital populations of moose, elk, gray wolves, black bears and sandhill cranes, as well as 36 species of rare and uncommon plants.

Birders can watch a number of grassland bird species, many of which are declining elsewhere in the Great Plains, including short-eared owls, yellow rails and sharp-tailed grouse. Hikers can enjoy sweeping vistas and see the world’s largest population of the western prairie fringed orchid.

The preserve is a central feature of the larger Tallgrass Aspen Parkland, which represents a vast and varied landscape that has largely disappeared from other parts of the world. The nearby oak savannas and Norway Dunes Preserve provide even more to experience.

Public hunting is allowed here. For more information, contact the Tallgrass Aspen Parkland office at (218) 436-3455.

To get here: This preserve consists of remote, non-contiguous parcels of land near Lancaster, interspersed among the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Management Areas. Directions and an area map are available on nature.org, the Conservancy’s Web site.

Prairie-Forest Border Ecoregion — 819 acresAt Weaver Dunes, visitors will be captivated by the majestic sand dunes that can reach up to 30 feet, or the spectacular fall foliage that brightens the floodplain forest, or the rare fame flower, which only blossoms in the summer afternoons.

But perhaps most important are the turtles.

The American Museum of Natural History calls the dune region of southeastern Minnesota’s Wabasha County the most important place in the United States for Blanding’s turtles, a threatened species that migrates to Weaver Dunes each summer.

The Conservancy works at Weaver Dunes to protect the turtles’ critical habitat. Every June, female turtles travel here to lay their eggs. In late August, the hatchlings return to the wetlands, crossing roads and highways—a risky trip for slow-moving reptiles, prompting the state to post “Rare Turtle Crossing” signs along nearby roads.

Other wildlife include migrating waterfowl and raptors, such as the loggerhead shrike, western meadowlark, peregrine falcon and, each winter, large numbers of bald eagles.

To see the Blanding’s turtles on their migration route, be sure to visit in June or late August. Weaver Dunes also benefits from the work of dedicated volunteers, who collect seeds and help clear the land of non-native plant species that have invaded parts of the prairie.

To get here: From St. Paul, travel south on U.S. Highway 61 to Kellogg. Turn east into Kellogg at the blue-topped water tower. At the stop sign, turn right (south) onto Dodge Street. Following the signs, turn south onto County Road 84. Travel 5.5 miles south, then turn left onto Township Road 141, a small sand road on the left. Bear left at the fork and head to the parking area at the end of the road.

Wetland at Schaefer Prairie © Harold E. Malde Lake Christina at Seven Sisters Prairie © TNC Moose bull in Upper Manitou Forest Preserve © Chris Dunham/TNC Wallace C. Dayton Conservation and Wildlife Area © ColdSnap Photography Weaver Dunes © John Moriarty

Regal fritillary © Robert Dana

Ordway Prairie © Linda Huhn

Paul Bunyan Savanna © Areca Treon/TNC

Exploring Schaefer Prairie © Jeann Butler Canvasback ducks

© Eugene Hester/USFWS

1. Bluestem Prairie Scientific and Natural Area 2. Glacial Ridge Project 3. Hole-in-the-Mountain Prairie 4. Lake Alexander Preserve 5. Ordway Prairie 6. Paul Bunyan Savanna

7. Pigeon River Cliffs 8. Schaefer Prairie 9. Seven Sisters Prairie 10. Upper Manitou Forest Preserve

11. Wallace C. Dayton Conservation and Wildlife Area

12. Weaver Dunes Scientific and Natural Area