Yellow Bank Hills SNA

78 Acres Located from Nassau 1 mile E on Co Hwy 24. Lac Qui Parle County Twp 118N Rng 46W Sec 04 Type: Prairie Grasslands ECS Subsection: Minnesota River Prairie

Description:

The gravelly, coarse-textured soils of Yellow Bank Hills were deposited by glaciers in mound and ridge formations known as kames. This dry, sand-gravel prairie community typical of the Great Plains includes four plant species rare in Minnesota: Missouri milkvetch, Nuttall's violet, cut-leaf ironplant, and soft goldenrod. This SNA also harbors the prairie vole, a state-listed mammal that has generally been replaced by the meadow vole as agriculture has developed. Management of this site has restored old fields to native vegetation by planting seeds collected on the site. Nuttall's violet and Missouri milkvetch flower in early spring; blazing stars, purple coneflowers, cut-leaf ironplant, soft goldenrod, and sunflowers, in late summer. The adjacent Pegg Lake is a great spot for observing waterfowl during spring migration.

Bird List

Plant List