Twin Valley Prairie SNA

250 Acres Located from Twin Valley 5 miles S on MN Hwy 32, then 4.5 miles W on Co Hwy 39. Then .75 mile N on Co Rd 28 to pull off on E side of road. Norman County Twp 143N Rng 45W Sec 23 Type: Prairie Grasslands ECS Subsection: Red River Prairie

Description:

Twin Valley Prairie contains a prominent beach ridge of Glacial Lake Agassiz that supports plant communities ranging from wet to dry prairie. Sedge meadow and marsh communities occupy the poorly drained swales alongside the beach ridge. Sedges and cottongrass dominate these low areas, with cattails, American great bulrush, and Buxbaum's sedge also occurring. The remainder, nearly 150 acres of choice mesic blacksoil prairie, is dominated by big bluestem and prairie cordgrass, with forbs such as tall meadow rue, prairie sunflower, tall blazing star, and golden alexanders. Moose, white tailed deer, jackrabbits, ground squirrels, the white-footed mouse, and masked shrew make their homes here. This site is one of several in the area that are important to the long-term survival of the prairie chicken. Other plant and animal species include Dakota skipper, sandhill crane, marbled godwit, upland sandpiper, and prairie vole. A late summer visit will find blazing stars, sunflowers, asters, and goldenrods blooming.

Bird List

Plant List