SNA Nature Notes - Fall 2024

minnesota department of natural resources

Scientific and Natural Areas Program

Fall 2024

NATURE NOTES

Nature Notes is the Minnesota Scientific and Natural Areas Program quarterly newsletter.

In this issue:

SNA lady's-slipper graphic

At Butternut Valley Prairie SNA, History and Biodiversity Inspire Prairie Conservation

Justin Vorndran, SNA Communications Outreach Specialist

You can’t miss Butternut Valley Prairie SNA. That’s not just a travel recommendation – it’s an observation that anyone driving through the wide valleys of Blue Earth County will notice. The views are long here, and among a sea of row crops tinted a drab green, the vibrant colors of native prairie plants shine like “a little jewel”, in the words of Brad Bolduan, SNA Prairie Specialist. Butternut Valley Prairie SNA is an 11.5-acre example of native prairie that has all but disappeared from the surrounding area. This remnant prairie holds memories of an ecosystem that once covered western Minnesota, and if prairies could speak, Butternut Valley Prairie would have incredible stories to tell.

A view of Butternut Valley Prairie in late summer.

A view of Butternut Valley Prairie SNA in late summer. Photo by Justin Vorndran, MN DNR.

Unfortunately, prairies cannot speak into a microphone or write words on a page. Prairies express themselves in the changing of the seasons and the constant cycle of life, and it takes a special kind of person to notice prairies, act, and advocate for their protection. As I walk into the prairie on a dusty day in late August, I’m waiting to meet with one of those people – someone who noticed this prairie and took action to protect it for future generations.

Wayne Feder is an avid birder and naturalist, and he’s been a nature lover his entire life. Wayne leased Butternut Valley Prairie for over a decade and dedicated his time, money, and energy to protect this native prairie before it caught the eye of Minnesota DNR staff. Without Wayne, Butternut Valley Prairie likely would’ve been turned into cropland, and instead of finding myself surrounded by a diversity of native plant species, I’d be ankle deep in a field of soybeans.

Wayne Feder at Butternut Valley Prairie SNA.

Wayne Feder at Butternut Valley Prairie SNA. Photo by Justin Vorndran, MN DNR.

Wayne found out about this prairie incidentally. While driving by, he and his wife noticed splashes of vibrant orange in the fields out the car window. It was butterfly-weed, Asclepias tuberosa, a native prairie plant. They stopped the car to look around, and found a diversity of native plants, many of which were uncommon in the area. Wayne immediately understood the significance of what they had discovered. “It was the only prairie that I knew of [in the area] at the time,” he told me. He pulled into the driveway of the nearby farm to discuss the prairie.

The neighbors told Wayne that the prairie had been in their family since the late 1800s, and it had never been tilled for crops. Historically, agriculture relied heavily on livestock, and it was common practice to leave fields for haying and grazing, which is exactly how Butternut Valley Prairie escaped conversion to cropland. Prairie soil is incredibly rich, and it takes hundreds, if not thousands of years to form the biological communities that can be found in remnant prairies. Wayne inquired about the field at just the right time — the neighbors told him that they couldn’t find someone to use the field for hay, so they were considering leasing it to someone who would till it to plant crops. Wayne knew he had to act fast. “I just knew it had to be saved,” he said. He arranged to lease the prairie.

Prairie hasn’t always been so rare in this region of Minnesota. Prairie formed in the Midwest after the most recent glacial episode. As the ice retreated, a number of natural forces came together to form tallgrass prairie. Prairies are sustained by disturbance – American bison would graze the prairie and transport seeds in their fur, and frequent fires, often set by Native Americans, would rejuvenate the landscape. At one point in history, the entire landscape of Southern Minnesota was prairie that looked a lot like Butternut Valley Prairie does today.

The disappearance of Minnesota’s native prairies began with the arrival of settlers and organized agriculture. In the late 1800s, homesteads, towns, and roads connecting them began populating the landscape. Native prairie survived in roadsides, railroad rights-of-way and hayed or grazed fields. In roadsides and rights-of-way, incidental fires and road work accidentally provided the disturbance that sustains native prairie.

Prairie habitat began disappearing rapidly in the 20th century. The increasing prevalence of mechanical farm equipment meant less remnant prairie was needed for grazing, and more crop fields took its place. Pesticide usage increased, invasive species began to degrade native plant communities, and native prairie largely disappeared - even from the roadside ditches.

Plowing on the Torkelon brothers' farm, near St. James Minnesota 1947-1948.

Plowing on the Torkelson brothers’ farm, near St. James MN ca. 1947-1948. Courtesy of Watonwan Historical Society.

Not all of the prairie disappeared. Despite the changes taking place across the landscape, the land that would come to be known as Butternut Valley Prairie remained relatively unscathed. In 2006, when this prairie became a candidate for SNA designation, the Minnesota Biological Survey (MBS) assessed Butternut Valley Prairie to understand the ecological features there. They found three uncommon species – all made rare by the cultivation of surrounding habitat: Tuberous Indian plantain (Arnoglossum plantagineum), Sullivant’s milkweed (Asclepias sullivantii), and rattlesnake master (Eryngium yuccifolium). The final verdict on the biodiversity significance of this place? “Outstanding.” MBS biologists concluded their report: “[Butternut Valley Prairie] is an important model of the structure and composition of native mesic and wet prairies that have been nearly erased from the region.”

Rattlesnake master

Rattlesnake master, a rare plant in this region of southern Minnesota, and a key factor in the designation of Butternut Valley Prairie as an SNA. Photo by Justin Vorndran, MN DNR.

The MBS report mentions that this site “has been well managed by a prairie enthusiast who collects seed from the site for prairie restoration.” That prairie enthusiast, Wayne Feder, is a key reason this site remains in such good condition today. If you ask him, he’ll happily share his memories on this prairie. Wayne told me about years of heavy rain, when he and his wife would visit and find that the prairie plants had grown so tall and dense, they couldn’t see each other and had to maintain contact by talking. Other years, Wayne recalled hailstorms that flattened the prairie, and the plants would hardly reach his ankles.

Though remnant prairie is rare, prairie conservation is about more than just preserving what’s left. Prairie conservation is informed by the past, but it’s important to look to the future and teach others about the importance of prairie. Wayne understands this idea better than most, as a career educator and businessman. Wayne would incorporate prairie into his curriculum as a teacher, and at each school that Wayne taught, planted a prairie restoration. Wayne also collected seeds of native prairie plants from Butternut Valley Prairie for prairie restorations. Butternut Valley Prairie is more than an artifact of an ancient natural history – it’s a source of inspiration and knowledge for generations of future prairies and prairie enthusiasts.

The sun sets at Butternut Valley Prairie SNA

The sun sets at Butternut Valley Prairie SNA. Photo by Justin Vorndran, MN DNR.

At Butternut Valley Prairie, you can witness first-hand the power of diversity. “You just never know what you might find here,” Wayne told me. The prairie is always changing — year to year, month to month, and even week-to-week, there’s always something new to discover. On this prairie, the only thing that remains constant is that it’s protected for future generations as Butternut Valley Prairie Scientific and Natural Area.

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Bluestem Prairie SNA

Site Highlight: Art on the Prairie at Bluestem Prairie SNA

Augusta Grumdahl, SNA seasonal naturalist

Bluestem Prairie SNA is one of the largest and highest-quality northern tallgrass prairies in the United States. This site is a unique product of cooperation, with multiple agencies working together to protect and preserve it including Buffalo River State Park, The Nature Conservancy and Minnesota State University Moorhead's Regional Science Center.  

This site is adjacent to Buffalo River State Park, which gives state park visitors easy access to a solitary, natural experience in the tallgrass prairie. Bluestem Prairie SNA offers an opportunity to learn more about the area’s history, animals, and plant communities through naturalist programs. This SNA is an excellent location for birding and spotting vibrant wildflower blooms and is home to a variety of rare species including small white lady slipper (Cypripedium candidum), regal fritillary butterfly (Speyeria idalia), prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster) and plains pocket mouse (Perognathus flavescens). 

Each season on this prairie has something new and exciting to offer. In spring, prairie chickens use this prairie for “booming”, a unique mating dance including raised feathers, brilliant colors, and fancy footwork. Spring is also a good time to find prairie smoke (Geum triflorum) and pasqueflowers (Anemone patens) blooming. In summer, watch for beautiful blazing stars (Liatris sp.) and coneflowers (Echinacea angustifolia) and listen for the robotic-sounding call of the bobolinks.  In fall, the prairie has its own bold fall colors to observe.

Art on the prairie at Bluestem Prairie SNA

Bluestem Prairie SNA visitors painting the scenery. Photo by Augusta Grumdahl, MN DNR.

This summer, there were several “Art on the Prairie” events on the Bluestem Prairie SNA that were geared towards visitors of all ages. Art is a great way to connect with the landscape in a unique way, by taking time to intently observe the trees, plants, sky, and animals.  Artists were invited to take a moment to try their hand at watercolor in the prairie.  Picnic tables set up next to the trail offered a spot to sit and appreciate the prairie view, and many visitors decided to paint the blooming yellow goldenrod and purple blazing star flowers. Even some hikers who were passing by stopped and joined in on the painting! Taking a moment to study a subject sparked questions about how long the flowers bloomed and what the prairie might look like on another day or season.

Visitors were able to take their art home with them and remember the small moment of reflection at this beautiful place. Whether you’re a master painter, or a beginner looking to spend more time outside, art in natural areas is for everyone!

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The Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund Supports SNAs

 

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The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) is a panel of legislators and citizens appointed by the governor who are dedicated to making funding recommendations for natural resources and conservation projects. Most of the funding the commission reviews comes from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF), which draws proceeds from the Minnesota state lottery. The scientific and natural areas program gets much of its funding from these recommendations to continue the work of preserving Minnesota’s natural places. ENRTF funds are used to acquire sites of high ecological value, implement enhancement projects, and continue outreach efforts to tell the story of Minnesota’s unique nature for future generations.


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Staff Highlight: Scott Folkert

 

Scott Folkert is a Natural Resources Technician with the Minnesota Scientific and Natural Areas program, working in the DNR’s Central Region. He does field work to restore and preserve the natural heritage of Minnesota at SNAs, including managing for rare, threatened, and endangered species. Scott first worked with the DNR in 2015, and he’s been with the SNA program since June 2024.

Why do you do this work?

I do this work because I care deeply about the natural world. As a child I was inspired by the likes of Steve Irwin and David Attenborough and want to do my part to care for the planet with the time that I have.

What do you enjoy about your work? What are some of the challenges of this line of work?

Returning to a site, months, or even years, after a management activity has been completed and seeing positive results. Finding a native species there that you didn’t know was present before really gets me excited. One of my favorite things to work with is prescribed fire. It’s a great way to get out and really get to know your management units and really put eyes on the land. In many of the habitats we manage, it is also our most effective tool.

Working in the elements is always a challenge, and the constantly varying landscape of the natural world is something that requires adaptation in our management practices. There is truly no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution to restoring and preserving habitat.

What is your favorite native Minnesota plant or animal?

I really love our native herps (reptiles and amphibians). The Blanding’s turtle, timber rattlesnakes, prairie skinks and any other reptiles I find out in the world make my day every time. It is miraculous how they manage to survive our winters and stay here year-round.

Scott Folkert

What is your favorite SNA (and why)?

My favorite SNA has to be King’s and Queen’s Bluffs SNA. I grew up in the driftless area, southeast Minnesota is home to me, and Kings and Queens really epitomize that region and its incredible diversity.

What is your favorite way to spend time outdoors (and why)?

My partner Autumn and I love road tripping to national parks to camp, hike and site-see. We went to Banff last year (pictured) and it was my favorite trip yet!

Photo courtesy of Scott Folkert, MN DNR.

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Research Roundup

 

Regal Fritillary on Flodman's Thistle

A regal fritillary butterfly on a native Flodman’s thistle bloom. Photo by Dave Jungst, MN DNR.

Scientific and natural areas are uniquely suited to contribute to our understanding of the natural world, and research is allowed at SNAs by permit. So far in 2024 the DNR has approved 68 research permits for projects that contribute to a better understanding of Minnesota’s flora, fauna, fungi, and waters. These projects help answer important questions about Minnesota’s biota and help the SNA Program manage the state’s natural resources effectively.

  • Minnesota DNR Researchers are completing surveys for monarch and regal fritillary butterflies to learn about these species’ habitat use and to inform adaptive management practices for optimal habitat conditions.
  • A researcher from the University of Kansas Herbarium, Great Plains Lichen Flora Project (GPLF) is completing an inventory of lichens in all counties throughout the Great Plains.
  • Minnesota DNR researchers are exploring the regional butternut tree genotype (genetic makeup) to inform current risk to important edge-of-range native butternut, identify pure native butternut seeds sources, and identify non-native butternut hybrids.
  • University of Minnesota researchers will be examining fungi growth in old growth forests on SNAs throughout the state.
  • Minnesota DNR Nongame researchers are conducting surveys to assess red-shouldered hawk territory occupancy.

Notes from Site Stewards

 

Site stewards monitor SNAs across Minnesota. Their observations provide valuable information to the SNA Program. Summer visits were regularly reported, with a variety of observations and tasks completed.

  • Hannah Miller encountered evidence of moose, bears, and wolves at Hovland Woods SNA this July.
  • In August, site steward Lucas Rognrud spent the day at Savage Fen SNA. He made note of invasive species and observed blooming plants and wildlife.
  • Andrew Tri assisted in the removal of trash from Big Island SNA and spent the day observing the site.
Bee and Leadplant at Kasota Prairie SNA

A bumblebee foraging on leadplant (Amorpha canescens) at Kasota Prairie SNA. Photo by Steven Gahm.

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SNA Events

 

Looking for a fun way to get outdoors and give back this fall? Help out on stewardship projects at one of these events. See the complete list on the SNA events calendar.

Fall Colors at Grey Cloud Dunes

Fall colors at Grey Cloud Dunes SNA. Photo by ColdSnap Photography.


Nature Notes is the Minnesota Scientific and Natural Areas quarterly newsletter (archive online). It seeks to increase interest, understanding and support of natural areas while promoting involvement in the protection of these special places. Contact us directly at sna.dnr@state.mn.us.

 

ENRTF LCCMR logo

Funding for this project was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).