Western Prairie SNA

320 Acres Located from Rothsay 7 miles W on Co Hwy 26, then 3 miles N on Co Rd 165. Park on pull-off on E edge of road. Wilkin County Twp 135N Rng 46W Sec 12 Type: Prairie Grasslands ECS Subsection: Red River Prairie

Description:

Located within the basin of Glacial Lake Agassiz between two former shorelines, the soils of this SNA are a mix of sand, loam, and clay. The site contains moist sedge meadows, tallgrass prairie, and prairie wetlands, as well as a small saline area high in mineral salts. The mesic tallgrass prairie is dominated by big and little bluestem, along with switchgrass and prairie cord grasses; Canada goldenrod, grass-leaved goldenrod, heath aster, tall meadow-rue, and gayfeather also grow on mesic prairie. Wet prairies contain such species as prairie cordgrass, reedgrass, Indian hemp, and needlegrass, along with Baltic rush, arrow grass, rush aster, Kalm's lobelia, and silverweed. A variety of small mammals, amphibians, and butterflies flourish in this rich habitat along with rare animal species, such as greater prairie chicken, upland sandpiper, marbled godwit, Wilson's phalarope, sharp-tailed sparrow, and the regal fritillary butterfly. One rare plant, Nuttall's alkali grass, also occurs here. An early spring morning is the best time to see and hear the prairie chicken ritual dance. In late summer, listen for meadowlarks among the blooming prairie grasses and wildflowers. * indicates ownership in part or in whole by The Nature Conservancy.

Bird List

Plant List