Cold Spring Heron Colony SNA

64 Acres

Located from Cold Spring: take MN Hwy 23 NE 1.5 miles. Go 400 ft. S on Co. Rd. 140 to 233rd St. Drive 1/3 mi E to the end of the street. Park west of the hill.

Stearns County Twp 123N Rng 30W Sec 13

Type: Deciduous Woods

ECS Subsection: Hardwood Hills

Description:

Cold Spring Heron Colony is a site of open floodplain meadow, floodplain forest, and a small prairie hill. The prairie hill, on the south side of Highway 23, contains many common and colorful plant species. In the past, this site has been home to a large heron colony that was studied longer than any other in the state. However, the herons abandoned the site in 1989. It is not known why the herons left, but a severe drought in 1988 and the loss of many nesting trees in 1983 are likely contributing factors. One day the herons may return to nest at Cold Spring and provide additional long-term research opportunities. The Nature Conservancy gifted this site as an SNA.

Bird List This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it.

Plant List

Cold Spring Heron Colony SNA Map

Visitor notes:

Note: Visitation to the heron colony N of Hwy 23 is by permit only. Apply through Minnesota SNA Program at (651) 259-5088 or through the Nongame Wildlife Specialist at New Ulm (507) 359-6000.