Spring Wildflower Field Trip

Saturday, May 20th – 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Location: Mound Prairie State Natural Area

Join the Minnesota Driftless chapter as we explore Mound Prairie Scientific Natural Area in Houston County, MN on Saturday, May 13th. Our trip leader will be Scott Leddy, a naturalist and restoration practitioner who is intimately familiar with the goat prairies of southeast Minnesota. The wildflowers we might see include amethyst shooting star, Canada betony, prairie violet, blue eyed grass, prairie alum root, pussytoes, cream wild indigo, puccoon, downy painted cup, violet sorrel, and yellow star grass. We  could also see six-lined racerunner and other reptiles, grassland birds, and many pollinators. The first part of the field trip will take place on relatively level, low-elevation prairie adjacent to MN-16. After that, the tour will work its way up the bluff to higher elevation goat prairie. Depending on interest, there is also the option to visit several nearby goat prairies that can be accessed with additional hiking in steep terrain through wooded areas. Tour participants who prefer not to participate in the more strenuous portions of the field tour are welcome to continue exploring the low elevation prairies on their own and leave at their leisure. All participants should bring sunscreen and insect repellent, as well as water and snacks as needed.

CONTACT:

RSVP to Michelle Cochran (EMAIL)

DIRECTIONS:

https://goo.gl/maps/1hrvYAyXZyJzDbzX7 

Be sure to park on the straight section of the road, away from the curve, and please park on the north side of the road.