Bonanza Prairie SNA

115 Acres Located 14 miles NW of Ortonville on MN Hwy 7, then 0.5 miles W, in the Bonanza Unit of Big Stone Lake State Park. Big Stone County Twp 123N Rng 48W Sec 20 Type: Prairie Grasslands ECS Subsection: Minnesota River Prairie

Description:

Bonanza Prairie contains an example of undisturbed, glacial till hill prairie. From the hilltop, visitors have a spectacular view of the South Dakota prairie landscape. The gravelly, well-drained soils on the steep, west-facing slopes support dry prairie, mesic prairie, and bur oak savanna plant communities. Prairie plants include little bluestem, purple coneflower, prairie thistle, prairie clover, silverleaf scurfpea, big bluestem, and grama grasses. Very rare species?prairie moonwort, Missouri milkvetch, and slender milkvetch?indicate the rich diversity of this prairie. Prescribed burning and extensive removal of trees and brush at this site have dramatically enhanced the prairie community. The best time to visit is late summer to see prairie plants in bloom and their attendant butterfly species.

Bird List

Plant List