Updating Rare Plant Surveys in SE MN, and Sprague Creek Peatland SNA in Northern MN

This Zoom presentation is available on the Videos page.

Talk 1. Updating Rare Plant Surveys on several Scientific and Natural Area Sites in Southeast Minnesota.

Presenter: Mike Lee, Botanist/Plant Ecologist, MN DNR/ and new MNNPS Board Member

This talk will discuss the MN DNR’s recent survey efforts at Wykoff-Balsam Fir, Mound Prairie, Kellogg-Weaver Dunes, and Zumbro Falls Woods SNAs. Highlighted species will include Agalinis gattingeri, Asclepias amplexicaulis, Asclepias stenophylla, Aristida tuberculosa, Carex jamesii, Chrysoplenium iowense, Commelina erecta, Diarrhena obovate, Floerkea proserpinacoides, Galium circaezans, Nuttallanthus canadensis, Phemeranthus rugospermus, and Scutellaria ovata.

Talk 2. Sprague Creek Peatland Scientific and Natural Area

Presenter: Scott Milburn, Botanist, Midwest Natural Resources, Inc./MNNPS President & Board Member

One of the more unique SNA’s, Sprague Creek Peatland SNA, lies on the Minnesota-Canadian border in NW Minnesota. This SNA is primarily forested peatland that includes spring fens, a type of calcareous fen afforded special protection under state law in Minnesota. With several main ditches thorough out, in place since 1910, the hydrology has been altered significantly. There is now a plan to dramatically restore the hydrology to a much larger area that includes the SNA.

This brief talk will present an overview of peatland types in Minnesota, a summary of plant communities at Sprague Creek Peatland SNA (historic and conditions today), and the ideal goal for the pending restoration.