DNR NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JUNE 22, 2009
Media contacts: Colleen Coyne, DNR communications director, 651-259-5023; Nancy Sather, MCBS Botanist/NHNRP plant ecologist, 651-259-5136.
Free Northwest Minnesota prairie tours offered July 11-12
The Minnesota County Biological Survey (MCBS), the Natural Sciences Department at the University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC), and the Minnesota Native Plant Society are teaming up to offer a variety of field trips to northwestern Minnesota's prairies July 11-12.
Trip coordinator Nancy Sather, an MCBS ecologist originally from Fosston, notes that northwestern Minnesota's tallgrass aspen parkland is too diverse to be explored on a single trip. Therefore, a variety of shorter mix-and-match tours are planned to enable people to choose the experience that best matches their interests and schedules as well as the level of difficulty of the trip. The level of difficulty noted for each trip is based on a combination of the distance covered and terrain difficulty.
Participants may choose from among the following tours.
SATURDAY, JULY 11
· 9 a.m. Agassiz Dunes Scientific and Natural Area (SNA) near Fertile, led by UMC Instructor Rhett Johnson (moderate hike). No preregistration required. Meet at the parking lot of the Sandhill Drive Inn, 605 South Mill St., Fertile.
· 9 a.m. Count Western prairie fringed orchids near Fertile, led by MCBS Ecologists Nancy Sather and Derek Anderson (difficult, working hike). Preregistration is required.
· 10:45 a.m. Aspen parkland near Karlstad, led by MCBS Ecologist Robert Dana. The trip continues through the afternoon (difficult tour and hike). Preregistration is required.
· 1:30 p.m. Thorson Wildlife Management Area near Fertile, led by Rhett Johnson (moderate hike). No preregistration required. Meet at the parking lot of the Sandhill Drive Inn, 605 South Mill St., Fertile.
· 1:30 p.m. Western prairie fringed orchids near Fertile, led by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) ecologists and Native Plant Society members (family-friendly hike). No preregistration required. Meet at the parking lot of the Sandhill Drive Inn, 605 South Mill St., Fertile.
SUNDAY, JULY 12
· 9 a.m. Aspen parkland, led by MCBS Ecologist Robert Dana. The trip visits multiple sites, continuing through the afternoon (difficult tour and hike). Preregistration is required. Meet at the DNR Area Wildlife office, 202 Main St. North, Karlstad.
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· 9 a.m. Natural communities along the historic Pembina Trail ox-cart route through Marshall, Pennington, Red Lake and Polk counties, led by Nancy Sather (family-friendly auto tour with several short stops). No preregistration required. Meet at the entrance of Old Mill State Park, 33489 240th Ave. N.W., Argyle.
Maps to tour sites will be distributed at the starting point. Participants are responsible for their own transportation. All trips involve some walking off trails for distances of one mile or more. Everyone is encouraged to wear solid shoes, long pants and sun protection.
All tours are free, but space is limited. To preregister, send an e-mail stating exactly which tour(s) you plan to attend to or leave a voice message at 651-259-5136. The registration deadline is 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 7.
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