Blueberry Hill
This 17.5-acre prairie remnant overlooks the St. Croix River and is located just south of Bayport. Owned by the Minnesota DOT, The Prairie Enthusiasts has a written management agreement to restore and maintain this gem. In February 2013, many volunteers hand broadcast seed on the nine-acre field on the west side of Quant Avenue.
SITE STEWARDS
Heidi Kassenborg
heidikassenborg@gmail.com
Peter Fritz
pjfritz2005@gmail.com
Wayne Huhnke
whuhnke@gmail.com
ACCESS & DIRECTIONS
Address: 2900 Quant Ave N., West Lakeland Township, MN
Description & Significance
This dry remnant, MNDNR native plant community type Ups13, is located just a ½ mile south from the MN DNR’s Scientific and Natural Area (SNA) St. Croix Savanna.
The Blueberry Hill site is part of a larger prairie & savanna complex that is located along several railroads. As a result, there is a significant portion of land that is wild. Much of the adjacent property is not currently being actively managed, so Blueberry Hill can provide a good buffer area and insect refugia. This allows us to more aggressively manage the remnant portion with prescribed fire.
St croix Valley
Volunteers
All work days are listed on our chapter page under Events. Reminders are sent to everyone on the St Croix Valley eNews list.
Usage Policies
The property is open to the public for birding, hiking, wildlife viewing/appreciation, nature study/photography, and research. No vehicles are allowed.
Ownership History
The site is owned by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT).
Long seen as a party place by local kids who named it Blueberry Hill, it has been the site of marriage proposals, migratory bird observation, and meditation.
In 1967, the Minnesota Department of Transportation obtained the site for a wayside rest.
The St. Croix Valley chapter discovered the native prairie remnant in 2005, cleared a forest of non-native trees and buckthorn, and conducted prescribed burns.
In 2021, MnDOT granted the chapter a non-exclusive Highway Sponsorship License to maintain the area as a natural area.
Management
The management goals are to:
- Restore and maintain native prairie representative of historic flora and fauna.
- Maintain and expand endangered and rare plant species populations.
- Decrease cover of invasive and non-native plant species.
Prescribed burning occurs during the dormant season on a rotating 10-year burn unit plan.
