Spring 2025

NATURE NOTES Nature Notes is the Minnesota Scientific and Natural Areas Program quarterly newsletter. In this issue: A Story of a Native Prairie Bank Site Highlight: Purrington Prairie Staff Highlight: Juliette Garza Donate to the SNA Program Site Steward Notes Upcoming Events Native Plant Highlight: Jewelweed

A Story of a Native Prairie Bank

By Dave Jungst, Native Prairie Bank acquisition specialist

Hi, I am Dave. I assist private landowners interested in protecting remnant native prairie on their property, and help them with the process of putting a permanent easement, a Native Prairie Bank, on their prairie acres. In return, they get a one-time cash payment based on the land value in their township along with ongoing management help of their prairie from the DNR to maintain and improve its quality.

Looking over the land that would become the first Native Prairie Bank I enrolled. Photo by Dave Jungst, MN DNR.

This is a story about the very first Native Prairie Bank (NPB) easement I helped to enroll.

What is native prairie? It is land that still has the original soil and plants intact because the sod has never been broken. Often, these areas were left in a natural state because they were too steep, rocky, or isolated for other uses. They also may have been too wet or too dry for cropping, or areas used for haying or grazing.

How do I find these areas? With less than 2% of Minnesota’s native prairie remaining, it’s not easy! Sometimes I get tips or referrals from cooperating agencies or organizations. Other times it’s through what I call “the neighbor effect”, where a landowner learns about the Native Prairie Bank through a neighbor that I’m working with to protect their prairie. But most often I am searching for native prairies by a technique I call “digital scouting”. I use a wealth of information available through a GIS (Geographic Information Systems). By combining map layers that include satellite imagery of landscapes, I can view permanent vegetation cover, sites where native plant communities have been mapped, land ownership, and lands in a variety of conservation programs. Most of what I find on these maps is no longer prairie because it has been converted to another use such as agricultural fields, gravel pits, cities, or housing developments.

The prairie in this story is part of a farm that the Pomme de Terre River flows through in Swift County. The owner had already retired from farming the cropland and turned it over to his son. The bluffs and river bottom land were not well-suited to crops but provided good pasture for grazing. He still had a herd of beef cattle but was thinking of retiring from that work as well when I sent him a letter inquiring if he’d be interested in a Native Prairie Bank. I went over the information with him and asked if I could come out and walk his pasture (prairie) to have a firsthand look at it.

The Pomme de Terre River flows through this native prairie that was used for grazing beef cattle. Photo by Dave Jungst, MN DNR.

A herd of about a dozen cow-calf pairs grazed the 84-acre area. On my first walk through, I could see there were quite a few red cedar and Siberian elms encroaching on the prairie but there were also lots of native prairie plants. In my work, I’ve seen many pastures severely degraded by grazing. Unfortunately, it’s been the norm in the past to let cattle graze the same pasture all season long. Without a rest many of the native plants will die out, often leaving invasive species like smooth brome, thistles, and Kentucky blue grass; but this pasture wasn’t like that. My thought is that the cattle in a cow-calf herd behave differently than a herd of adult cattle. The cows are very protective of their calves and actively work to keep them in a tight group. They’ll graze an area intensively but have plenty of room to move around, so most of the pasture had moderate to light grazing pressure during each growing season. This is likely the way bison grazed historically, but on a much larger scale.

I contacted the regional prairie specialist and asked if the river bottom land and upland area would be eligible for enrollment, and he said it would depend on the quality. He was a little skeptical and guessed that invasive reed canary grass dominated the lowlands, as is typical on such sites but said he could come and look at it. It was a beautiful day on the first of July as we walked across the upland and he noted that it looked like it had good diversity, then we headed down towards the river. He walked out into the floodplain and stopped to look around. There was swamp milkweed, broad-leaf arrowhead and giant bur-reed in bloom. Sweet flag, sedges, rushes, and southern blueflag were forming seeds, and a pair of mating Viceroy butterflies swirled around us. He said, “this looks pretty good!” and I replied, “that’s what I was hoping you’d say!”. That morning, we documented over 130 native species on the site, and he agreed it was a good candidate for a Native Prairie Bank.

Swamp milkweed. Photo by Dave Jungst, MN DNR.

I told the landowner the good news and we scheduled another time for me to come figure out the exact boundaries of the easement. After we cruised the perimeter on his ATV we stopped atop a bluff with a beautiful view across the river valley. He told me that over the years several people had asked him about buying this land to build houses on it, but he told them no because it didn’t seem right. He said, “my dad used to say, sometimes you have to plant a tree”. I was puzzled at first and wondered what he meant. As he talked more about his family’s long history of living on and farming this land, I realized what he was saying. You can’t just take, take, take from the land. Sometimes you need to give back.

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Site Highlight: Purrington Prairie SNA By Kelly Randall, SNA statewide outreach consultant

A walk in a native prairie provides chances to experience an uncommon landscape in up-close detail. If you’ve explored a prairie, I think you may understand what I mean. Admiring the radiating patterns in the center of a native sunflower or watching a butterfly’s wings wink close as it nearly disappears into the background and then flash open with a splash of color. You even need to get close-up to hear burbling water over the rocks of a small stream. These are human-scale experiences.

Native wildflowers and grasses blanket the hills and valleys at Purrington Prairie SNA. A small steam meanders across the site from north to south before joining the nearby Des Moines River. Photo by Kelly Randall, MN DNR.

Then you look up. And it is here where the prairie becomes something else entirely. You can see the wide-ranging whole of this landscape. You can see grasses, on a windy day, form waves of motion into the distance. A tree or small grove may punctuate a backdrop of summer cumulous clouds, or just the endless blue sky.  Often, in large native prairies, the expansive feeling may seem endless. It feels much more than human-scale. The larger the prairie the more endless it feels. It can be inspiring and maybe even a little frightening to some, especially if you’ve grown up in a forested area. 

This broad perspective is an experience infrequently found in other natural settings in Minnesota. I think it’s mostly because, as they say, we can’t see the forest for the trees here. But in the prairie, you get to see the whole picture.

I think that is why Minnesota prairie is special and one reason why those who enjoy exploring prairie keeping coming back. I know it is a reason I am compelled to visit places, like Purrington Prairie SNA, where I can let my senses take over and experience a landscape that holds exquisite details and yet sends me adrift with just a glance toward the horizon.

A bird nest stands out against the native prairie under a blanket of snow in the background of Purrington Prairie SNA. Photo by Kelly Randall, MN DNR.

A few facts about Purrington Prairie SNA

• Purrington Prairie SNA is relatively new. It was formally designated as an SNA on December 21, 2023.
• The 41-acre site is about 3 miles northwest of the town of Windom in southwestern Minnesota.
• The rare prairie bush clover has been documented here; first found by Rose Purrington whose family formerly owned the site.
• Prescribed burns to enhance Purrington Prairie's health have been a key part of its management.

A 2018 prescribed burn at Purrington Prairie SNA. Photo by Judy Elbert, MN DNR.

Staff Highlight: Juliette Garza

Juliette Garza is a Natural Resources Technician with the Minnesota Scientific and Natural Areas program, working in the DNR’s Central Region. Juliette is part of a management team who works to preserve the natural heritage of Minnesota within Scientific and Natural Areas. This includes protecting and restoring habitat for the special concern, threatened, and endangered species that live there. Juliette has been with the SNA program since September 2024.

Photo courtesy of Juliette Garza, MN DNR.

What gets you excited about your work (and why)?

I am excited to see the after-effects of the projects we carry out. It’s a great feeling to wrap up an invasive species removal project and take in the work we’ve done at the end of the project. I’ll be thrilled to see the changes throughout the year and even 10 or 20 years into the future. I’m passionate about restoring and maintaining our state’s natural places, and hopefully creating better habitat for wildlife to thrive.

What is your favorite SNA (and why)?

I am still making my way to more SNAs in the region, but my favorite so far is River Terrace Prairie SNA. During my first week, we went out to River Terrace Prairie, and it felt like home. I grew up in the hill country of the Southern U.S. where we can see a smidgen of a fall color change, rolling hills, and savanna oak prairies. Walking around the prairie, finding small rock mounds and a prickly pear cactus, it felt like exactly where I am supposed to be. The scenery is beautiful, and I look forward to working there in the coming spring and summer since I have only experienced the site so far in the fall and winter.

What is your favorite native Minnesota plant or animal (and why)?

There are many creatures that I love but one of my favorites is the plains hognose snake (Heterodon nasicus). These little slithery snakes are exciting to cross paths with since they almost always have big personalities, are beautiful creatures, and have an upturned snout where they get their name. One thing I find so cool about them is their defense mechanism. When they feel threatened, they have a few different reactions. A unique, yet incredibly dramatic one is pretending to be dead. They roll onto their back, writhing around their whole body, and eventually will stick their tongue out. In my opinion, this is a pretty fair reaction when feeling threatened. I never try to intentionally spook them, so I have only seen a hognose do this once or twice.

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

One of my favorite ways to spend time outdoors is exploring with my family. For me, exploring covers anything from hiking, kayaking, herping (looking for reptiles and amphibians), bird watching, or just being out in nature to discover new things. I really love camping and taking our dogs with us on hiking or kayaking trips. I am always up for an adventure to gain new experiences, especially with my spouse and pups.

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Donate to the Minnesota Scientific and Natural Areas Program!

Showy Lady’s-Slippers (Cypripedium regina) at Iron Spring Bog SNA. Photo by Kelly Randall, MN DNR.

You can support the preservation of natural places for future generations by donating to the Minnesota SNA program! Your donation supports management and stewardship of natural areas, research to better understand Minnesota’s natural heritage, and the acquisition and designation of new Scientific and Natural Areas.

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Notes from Site Stewards

Shoreline erosion along the shores of Icelandite Coastal Fen SNA. Photo by Gerry Grant.

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

• On a blustery day in January, site steward Gerry Grant at Icelandite Coastal Fen SNA assisted SNA staff with the installation of a new interpretive sign. Gerry noted a significant reduction in the size of the beach, as the wind and waves whipped against the shoreline.
• Nick Johnson, new site steward at Otter Tail Prairie SNA, spent a warm winter day exploring the site, observing past mowing and cutting efforts. While he didn’t see any signs of recent human visitors, he did see plenty of signs of deer and coyotes, noting tracks and bedding areas.
• This winter has provided some fun birding opportunities at SNAs near the Metro. Site steward Ty Samuels spotted numerous bald eagles and a pair of northern harriers during his winter visits to St. Croix Savanna SNA. Volunteers also spotted a northern harrier hunting over the recent brush removal at Lost Valley Prairie SNA during the site stewards’ February volunteer workday.

Otter Tail Prairie SNA on a sunny winter day. Photo by Nick Johnson.

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SNA Events

Looking for a fun way to get outdoors and give back this spring? Join us for adventures and stewardship activities at SNAs! See the complete list on the SNA events calendar.

• 03/22/2025 March Stewardship Event Lost Valley Prairie SNA
• 04/26/2025 April Stewardship Event Lost Valley Prairie SNA

• 5/15/2025 Volunteer Stewardship: Garlic Mustard Pull Hastings Sand Coulee SNA

• 5/20/2025 Volunteer Stewardship: Garlic Mustard Pull Pine Bend Bluffs SNA

• 05/24/2025 May Stewardship Event Lost Valley Prairie SNA

• 06/14/2025 Volunteer Stewardship: Sumac Removal Grey Cloud Dunes SNA
• Keep an eye on the SNA events calendar for more opportunities, including Old Growth Forest hikes in June.

Minnesota Native Plant Highlight: Jewelweed

By Mike Perry, former SNA volunteer and writer

Jewelweed is a native annual herb that grows in moist shady locations. The jewelweed is a member of the Balsaminaceae or touch-me-not family. The two species found in Minnesota are spotted touch-me-not, (Impatiens capensis) and pale touch-me-not (Impatiens pallida). Impatiens capensis is found throughout much of Minnesota, while Impatiens pallida is found in scattered locations in the southern half of the state.

One of the two species of jewelweed in Minnesota, pale touch-me not (Impatiens pallida). Photo by Andrew Gray, CC BY-NC.

Both species have succulent translucent stems and coarsely-toothed petioled (stalk attaching leaf to stem) leaves. They flower from June to September. Impatiens capensis grows from two to five feet tall and has orange-yellow flowers with reddish brown spots. Impatiens pallida grow slightly taller and has pale yellow flowers with reddish brown spots. The three-petaled flowers hang down from slender drooping stalk. There are three sepals, one of which curls around to form a sac. This sac contains a supply of nectar that attracts pollinators such as black swallowtail butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees.

Of the two species of jewelweed in Minnesota the spotted touch-me not (Impatiens capensis) is more widely found across the state. Photo by Anna Hesser, CC BY-NC-ND.

The fruits of the plant are oval capsules about one inch long. When the capsules ripen, they spring open at the slightest disturbance, shooting seeds in all directions. This characteristic is the reason the plant is called touch-me-not or snap-weed. The name ‘jewelweed’ comes from water droplets, which are repelled by the leaves and form beads that appear like small jewels in the sunlight.

Jewelweed has two types of flowers: those that open and are pollinated by birds and insects, and those that are closed and pollinate themselves. The open flowers are called chasmogamous and the closed flowers are called cleistogamous. Closed flowers take less energy to produce and produce seeds sooner. Open flowers provide cross-pollination benefits. When the plant has an ample supply of energy in midsummer, the plant produces open flowers, but when the days get shorter and the plant has less energy, jewelweed produces closed flowers.

The juice exuded by crushing a plant will reduce the itching from stinging nettle and is supposed to help alleviate the itching and rash from poison ivy.

These native plant stories were written by Mike Perry in the late 1990s and early 2000s for a former iteration of the SNA newsletter. That newsletter was printed and sent to SNA volunteers to keep them updated on volunteer events and stories about the goings-on with SNAs. We hope you find these “re-printed” stories with added photographs of the plants interesting and informative!

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.

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).