Townsend Woods SNA

73 Acres Located From MN Hwy 60 N on LeRoy Ave (one mile W of entrance to Sakatah Lake State Park). Stay left as LeRoy Ave joins Co Rd 99. N on LeSueur Ave .5 mile. Park in lot on E side of Road. From parking area (open field) hike east, then north, then east along walking corridor about .5 mile to wooded SNA. Rice County Twp 109N Rng 22W Sec 18 Type: Deciduous Woods ECS Subsection: Big Woods

Description:

Townsend Woods, though small, is the finest example of the "Big Woods" that used to cover parts of south central Minnesota. The Townsend family originally purchased this land from the U.S. government at the time of settlement--hence the name. The site contains a beautiful virgin forest of sugar maple, red oak, basswood, and oak, with few shrubs. The loose, fertile soil is lush with spring ephemerals. Woodland warblers are found in significant numbers during spring migration. The Nature Conservancy acquired a portion of this site at the request of the SNA Program until funds could be secured to purchase it. The best time to visit this site is mid- to late-spring to view woodland wildflowers such as hepatica, bloodroot, trillium, Dutchman's breeches, and spring beauty.

Bird List

Plant List