North American Prairie Conference

Field Trip Information Summary


Wednesday, August 6, 2008




• This site was planted in a fairly diverse mix of sand prairie species in June
2005. 
• It was created by scraping the topsoil from fallow farmland, placing approximately 1 million cubic yards of dredged materials (coarse sand) from
pool 5 of the Mississippi River and shaping it into "dunes", replacing the topsoil, and planting seeds as well as relying on sand prairie species already in the seed bank of the topsoil. 
• The seed that was planted there was
a mix of seed collected from Nature Conservancy property at Weaver Dunes as well as purchased seed. 
• The first two growing seasons were very hot and dry
and the planting was slow to become established. 
• The summer 2007 saw more
frequent rains and a flush of new growth. 
• The site is part of a several
thousand acre complex of sand prairie rich in grassland birds

• you can park on the edge of the prairie so walking distance depends on how long the group wishes to walk around
• Rigor of field trip: moderate
• Potential hazards at site (steep or rough terrain, cliffs, snakes, insect
pests, noxious plants):  People should be prepared to tour a site that has no amenities.  Poison ivy and sandburs are likely to be encountered so dress accordingly