Tallgrass Parkland Preserving a landscape of historic proportions

The Nature Conservancy’s Tallgrass Aspen Parkland project in northwestern and southeastern seeks to preserve one of the most intact systems remaining in the Midwest, a significant goal considering that in Minnesota alone, more than 99 percent of the tallgrass is gone.

The unique Parkland, where most of the original native species including , black bear and rare plants still thrive, offers public access for hiking, birding and hunting. conservation profile

To accomplish conservation goals in the Parkland, the Conservancy works with partners including the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the Nature Conservancy of , the An aspen stand against a bright blue sky at the Wallace C. Dayton Conservation and Wildlife Area © John Gregor/Coldsnap Photography Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. he sweeping vistas of the Tallgrass A rich mosaic of Aspen Parkland encompass some natural communities To protect the remarkable biodiversity 2 million astonishingly well-pre- Part of the Northern T Ecoregion, the Tallgrass Aspen Parkland of the , the Conservancy served wild acres stretching from Red and its partners use land management Lake Falls in northwestern Minnesota features open grasslands studded with tools ranging from prescribed fire, to the town of Steinbach in southeastern aspen groves, dense shrub thickets, logging and managed grazing to Manitoba. The Wisconsin glaciation and wetlands and peatlands. Marking the prairie and wetland restoration. the subsequent formation and retreat of transition between tallgrass prairie and the glacial Lake Agassiz 10,000 years , these systems support an ago created a relatively level region largely impressive variety of species. characterized by poor drainage. The resulting wet, rocky terrain discouraged Abundant rainfall sustains big bluestem agricultural development because it was grass, cordgrass and tufted hairgrass. not friendly to the plows of European set- The world’s largest—and Canada’s only— tlers. Today, The Nature Conservancy is population of the lovely western prairie

Top photo: Northern harrier chicks at Tallgrass Aspen Parkland working to preserve a landscape that looks fringed orchid also blooms here. Large © Russ Reisz/TNC much as it did more than 150 years ago. mammals like gray wolves, black bear, elk “The vast ocean of level prairie which lies to the west of the Red River must be seen in its extraordinary aspects, before it can be valued and rightly understood...It must be seen at sunrise, when the boundless plain suddenly flashes with rose-coloured light as the first rays of the sun sparkle in the dew on the long rich grass, gently stirred by the unfailing morning breeze.”— Henry Hind, leader of the Canadian Red River Exploring Expedition in 1858

Aerial view of aspen stands at the Tallgrass Aspen Parkland © John Gregor/Coldsnap Photography and know no boundaries—they Dayton Conservation and Wildlife Parkland’s health. The same roads, experience the increasingly rare opportu- Area as well as the oak and ditches and fields that interrupt the nity to roam across broad, uninterrupted of the Norway Dunes Preserve. natural fire regime cut off the natural ranges. Maintaining connections between As more and more large private parcels direction of surface water flow to wet- the habitats required for elk, moose and are split into smaller recreational lots, lands and wet prairie areas. Management others is but one long-range goal of conservationists have the chance to slow strategies include filling in ditches and the Conservancy. this segmentation and protect tens of carefully planning the placement or thousands of acres. removal of culverts and ditch plugs. The Conservancy and its partners are working to preserve a landscape of Once land is protected through purchase Other strategies include logging to historic proportions that is not only or conservation easements, management remove trees and restore the open land- significant to the Great Plains but also strategies aim to control the encroach- scape, as well as the implementation of to the world. Temperate grasslands, ment of woody and the sustainable grazing practices for live- the most threatened major habitat spread of invasive species like purple stock. Limits on gravel extraction will type on Earth, have been significantly loosestrife and reed canary grass, while preserve important habitat as well. changed, with some 46 percent restoring native cover. Large fires, once converted to agriculture worldwide. called the “red buffalo of the prairie” Preservation for future generations because they roared across broad areas, The Tallgrass Aspen Parkland, a Challenges and Strategies are critical to the regeneration of grass- stunning mosaic of interconnected In an area that includes six counties lands and savannas. Prescribed fire serves natural communities, represents a type and seven municipalities, community- as an important tool for the Conservancy of vast and varied landscape that has based conservation brings many and its partners. largely disappeared from the Earth. groups and individuals together. The Conservancy’s partners include local During past decades, development has Ongoing research and monitoring, strong governments, the Nature Conservancy diminished the natural rhythm of fire relationships with partners and careful of Canada, the Minnesota Department that is critical to the well-being of management strategies all work together of Natural Resources, the U.S. Fish grasslands. Working with partners and to ensure that conservation activities and Wildlife Service and the Rocky private landowners, the Conservancy continue to expand. Future generations Mountain Elk Foundation. uses prescribed burns to prevent aspen will be able to step back in time here, and and other trees from taking over and stand in awe of the sheer abundance of Working together, the Conservancy and reducing open prairie. Fire also releases plant and animal life supported by the its partners have the opportunity to stave nutrients that are otherwise unavailable Tallgrass Aspen Parkland. off the fragmentation that has already to plant life. proved fatal for other grasslands. At the Visit www.nature.org/Minnesota for heart of the Conservancy’s work lies Along with fire, water is an important more information. the expansive 15,000-acre Wallace C. element of the Tallgrass Aspen