Wykoff Balsam Fir SNA

151 Acres Located from Spring Valley 5 miles NE on Co Hwy 8, then about 0.8 miles SE on Good Earth Village entrance road. Please ask permission from the Good Earth Village to park at their office. After you receive permission, hike S to SNA. Fillmore County Twp 103N Rng 12W Sec 17 Type: Deciduous Woods ECS Subsection: Blufflands

Description:

The Wykoff Balsam Fir SNA contains several steep, moist, north-facing talus slopes with cold air drainage. Balsam fir, yellow birch, white pine, sugar maple, basswood, and American yew are among the woody plants to be found here. This unique micro climate provides habitat for several plant communities commonly found much further north. Rare plant species include golden saxifrage, panicled bluebell, moschatel, bulbet fern, and alpine enchanter's nightshade. A few species of rare land snails also occur on the slopes. The special conditions that support these species are found only in the Blufflands Landscape Region of southeastern Minnesota, on steep north-facing talus slopes with crevasses from which cold air constantly drains, and which are very sensitive to disturbance--hence, slopes are closed to visitors except by research permit. The best time to visit is in early summer when woodland wildflowers are in bloom.

Plant List

Visitor notes:

Note: Visitation of the posted sanctuary portion of this site is by research permit only. Apply through Minnesota SNA Program at (651) 259-5088 or through the Regional Nongame Wildlife Program Manager (507) 285-7435.