Prairie Communities in the Springtime

Where: Lost Valley Prairie SNA (Washington County) & Kellogg Weaver Dunes SNA (Wabasha County)
When:   Saturday May 11^th, 2019       

Leaders:  TBD

Join members of the Friends of Minnesota Scientific & Natural Areas and others on an all-day outing to Lost Valley Prairie SNA and Kellogg Weaver Dunes SNA to explore these prairie communities in the springtime. Folks will get to learn from site stewards and retired SNA staff about the history of each SNA as well as get to explore the natural resources found at each one. If time permits the group will be stopping at Bald Eagle Bluff SNA on the way back to the Twin Cities. Also, the group may be renting a van to carpool everyone on the trip so a fee will be associated with this trip but that amount has not been finalized.

Located on one of the northern most limestone outcrop prairie areas,  Lost Valley Scientific and Natural Area contains prairie knobs unchanged for thousands of years as well as former agricultural fields being restored  back  to their native state. Indian Grass and Big Blue Stem grass grow to 6 feet high. Native forbs include many of the species associated with a tall grass prairie biome. Established in 1991, Lost Valley SNA was a mix of original native prairie and agricultural fields.

At Kellogg Weaver Dunes, participants will get to take in sweeping views across a terrace above the Mississippi with the state’s greatest expanse of dry barrens prairie and savanna. Geologic studies conducted in the vicinity suggest that this complex of dunes may have originated during one of two major dune-forming periods in this part of the Mississippi Valley, most likely between 18,000 and 14,000 years ago, when sediments deposited by glacial meltwater became “remobilized” by wind.

Field trips are open to MNNPS members only and pre-registration is required. Send an email to Ken Arndt at ken.arndt@mnrinc.us to register.