Pembina Trail Preserve SNA

2,320 Acres Located 9 miles W of Mentor on Co Hwy 45; or, from U.S. 2, 4 mi S on Co Hwy 32 to Co 45, then 3.5 mi W. Polk County Twp 149N Rng 44W Sec 18 Type: Prairie Grasslands ECS Subsection: Aspen Parklands

Description:

Pembina Trail Preserve lies on a prominent beach ridge at the eastern edge of Glacial Lake Agassiz. The site is associated with the Pembina trail, a major ox-cart route that traders used to haul furs and supplies between Winnipeg and St. Paul. The Pembina Trail Preserve is one of the most spectacular prairies in northwestern Minnesota. It displays the forb and grass species typical of mesic tallgrass prairie, with large areas of meadow, marsh, and shrub swamp, as well. Patches of aspen, spring-fed wetlands and a small calcareous fen lie at the base of the low, sandy ridges. Rare plant and animal species include hair-like beak rush, marsh arrow-grass, sticky false asphodel, upland sandpiper, yellow rail, marbled godwit, greater prairie chicken, Wilson's phalarope, and Dakota skipper. Sandhill cranes gather here by the thousands during spring and fall migration. Moose are commonly seen. Visit in spring to observe its animal diversity, or in late summer to view asters, sunflowers, blazing stars, and goldenrods in bloom. * indicates ownership in part or in whole by The Nature Conservancy.

Bird List

Plant List

Visitor notes:

The prairie is divided in Pembina Trail Preserve as follows: Pembina Trail Unit (1,657 Acres) Crookston Prairie Unit (560 Acres) Foxboro Prairie Unit (160 Acres)