Blue Devil Valley SNA

27 Acres Located 0.5 miles southwest of Granite Falls off of Hwy 23 on Co Hwy 39. Park in front of the SNA sign. Yellow Medicine County Twp 115N Rng 39W Sec 04 Type: Prairie Grasslands ECS Subsection: Minnesota River Prairie

Description:

Blue Devil Valley contains a granite outcrop community within the Minnesota River Valley that supports one of the largest known populations of the rare five-lined skink. Normally occurring further east, this species of lizard occurs only in widely separated areas this far west. Open, sunny bedrock exposures with loose surface rock and little or no vegetation these features make up the preferred habitat of the five-lined skink. Summer visitors may see these little lizards basking on warm, sunny granite outcrops. Xeric prairie species, such as the brittle cactus, little bluestem, harebell, and pasque flowers, are common among the outcrops and scattered bur oak. Management at this site is focused on removal of eastern red cedar and other woody plant species that have encroached on the site in the absence of fire. Prescribed burns are also enhancing the prairie community through control of woody species. The Nature Conservancy gifted this site as an SNA to the State of Minnesota. Spring through fall is a good time to view the wildflowers.

Bird List

Plant List