Bluestem Prairie SNA

1310 Acres Located from Moorhead 11 miles E on US Hwy 10, then 1 mile S on MN Hwy 9, then 1.5 miles E on 17th Ave. S to parking lot. Clay County Twp 139N Rng 46W Sec 10-12 Type: Prairie Grasslands ECS Subsection: Red River Prairie

Description:

Bluestem Prairie is an extensive remnant of "a vast sea of natural grassland" that at one time covered the entire Red River valley. It is also one of the highest quality prairie sites in the U.S. Lying within the Glacial Lake Agassiz bed, it contains two significant shorelines, the Norcross and Campbell Standlines. Uplands contain mesic tallgrass prairie, while low swales contain wet blacksoil prairie with sedge meadow and calcareous fen communities. Plant species found here include the rare sticky false asphodel, alkali and slender cordgrass, small white lady slipper, and a rare sedge. Rare fauna species include regal fritillary, melissa blue, prairie vole, plains pocket mouse, northern grasshopper mouse, Henslow's sparrow, upland sandpiper, marbled godwit, eastern meadowlark, loggerhead shrike, and greater prairie chicken. Blinds for viewing the prairie chickens' courtship behavior in April are available by reservation through The Nature Conservancy Bluestem Prairie office (218) 498-2679. Visit in early spring, when pasque flowers bloom and prairie chickens boom and dance, and again in late summer to see blazing stars and sunflowers in bloom.

Bird List

Plant List