Discovery Sites
How to Get There: Directions to the preserve from Bellingham: Approximately three miles North on State Highway 75 to County Road 38. Turn east, and drive for two miles. Turn north, and drive for one mile. At this intersection, the preserve is located on the northwest and northeast corners, and is marked by a large wood sign.
What You Will Find: Wildlife
Services at This Site: None. No trails.
Located in the heart of the Minnesota River Valley, Plover Prairie joins thousands of acres of state and federally owned lands to create a large block of habitat for plants and animals. There, the greater prairie chicken is being restored through cooperative efforts with private and public agencies, and is becoming more common to observe.
Along with the introduction of the prairie chicken comes the ability to observe the prairies’ long-time residents such as Loggerhead shrike, Wilson’s phalarope, short-eared owl, several nesting waterfowl, and two species of concern according to the state, the upland sandpiper and marbled godwit, both listed as species of concern by the state. The preserve is also home to many mammals.
Plover Prairie is a complex of wet lowland prairie feathering into mesic and dry prairie on higher ground. Among the scattered boulders and granite outcrops – the area’s signature land feature – large populations of small white lady’s slippers can be found, as well as prickly pear cactus, Carolina foxtail, slender milk vetch, lotus milk vetch, water hyssop, mudwort, mousetail and soft goldenrod.
Things to Do: Discovery Site, Outdoor Activities
