Field trips

Come join other MNNPS members for an exploration of the moist cliff areas at Carpenter Nature Center. This is challenging topography, not easily accessed, and not entirely catalogued. Many species of ferns and liverworts are to be found on the cliff faces, including walking fern, fragile fern and bulblet fern. Several unusual woodland sedges are also present, and lily-leaved twayblade should be in bloom along the trail.

See two gems of the Lower Minnesota River Valley consisting of sloping, calcareous, organic soil wetlands with springs and small, groundwater-fed, marl streams. Fifteen members of the sedge family, including 10 species of Carex, as well as the exquisite white lady's-slipper orchid, are anticipated highlights. Such floristic diversity in the heart of a large metropolitan area is rare. Problems with invasive species (buckthorn, Phragmites, hybrid cattail) will be discussed. Of particular interest will be observing the results of a prescribed burn conducted last spring at Seminary Fen SNA.

Grey Cloud Dunes is situated on two sandy terraces along the Mississippi River offering breathtaking views of the Mississippi river valley. The sandy soil is home to unique plant communities in different habitats such as erosional faces and blowouts. Distinctive species adapted to the dry, sandy environment include little bluestem, penstemon, prairie dropseed, sand reed grass, gramma grass, silky prairie clover, among others. Rare sea-beach needlegrass occurs in several of the blowouts; purple sand grass, on bare sand areas. Louisiana broomrape and Hill's thistles are also found here. North American (blue) racers, an uncommon Minnesota snake, live here.