Mound Prairie SNA

257 Acres Located from Hokah about 4 miles W on MN Hwy 16. Park on the gravel forest road on the north side of the highway. Houston County Twp 104N Rng 05W Sec 33 Type: Deciduous Woods ECS Subsection: Blufflands

Description:

Mound Prairie is located within the Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest, just south of the Root River. The site contains three southwest-facing goat prairies separated by oak forests and the steep, rocky ravines of ancient stream beds on the north side of Highway 16. An additional three goat prairies are found on the south side. Stream terraces contain remnants of fine, glacial silt deposited when the valley floors were higher. The superb goat prairies support a highly diverse plant community that includes such rare species as white wild indigo, goat's rue, jewelled shooting star, Ohio spiderwort, and the narrow-leaved milkweed with its greenish flowers. The prairie vole, a rare mammal typically found in northwestern Minnesota, is found at this site. Removal of encroaching trees and brush by cutting and prescribed burning is enhancing the prairie and rare species habitat. Hike the goat prairies in early to late summer to find the rare species in bloom. Spectacular views from this outstanding prairie SNA make the upward climb well worthwhile.

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