Compass Prairie SNA
 |
20 Acres Located from Worthington, S on MN Hwy 60/US Hwy 59, then W on Co Hwy 6 for 3 miles, then N on Co Hwy 9 for 1 mile, then W on a gravel road for 1.5 miles. The SNA is on the N side of the road. Nobles County Twp 101N Rng 41W Sec 03 Type: Prairie Grasslands ECS Subsection: Coteau Moraines |
Description:
Compass Prairie, the largest known prairie remaining in Nobles
County, lies on the two slopes facing the creek coursing its way to the
Rock River. This small, mesic blacksoil prairie remnant echoes the once
great tallgrass prairie, whose fertile soils now serve agricultural purposes.
The tall, yellow-flowered compass plants, their leaves oriented north to
south on the stalk, were once common across the prairies of southern
Minnesota. Compass plants thrive here now, along with locoweed, a legume that produces a
substance mildly toxic to livestock. The very rare powesheik skipper is also found here. The Nature
Conservancy gifted this small prairie as an SNA.
Bird List 
