Nature Tourism in Minnesota |
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In 2004 the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources funded an Outdoor Recreation Participation Survey of Minnesotans. Among the findings: 18% of Minnesotans participate in “Viewing, identifying or photographing wildflowers, trees, and natural vegetation.” This Web site is is designed to be a resource for those 18% of Minnesotans. |
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Locations |
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Minnesota’s nature viewing sites: photos, GPS coordinates, and bird lists. |
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Lost Valley Prairie Scientific and Natural Area |
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Five minutes north of downtown Hastings, Minnesota, is an excellent example of bluff prairie habitat. Formerly part of the old Mark Wright farm, the site was developed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The DNR considers the site a high priority area for conservation. Restoration activities undertaken in 2006 include pulling knapweed and thistle, collecting seeds, and planting Little Bluestem. Visit mid-summer to see native prairie wildflowers, including Black-eyed Susan, Common Evening Primrose, Deptford Pink, Purple Giant Hyssop, Tall Cinquefoil, Wild Bergamot, and three species of blazing star. Rock Sandwort and Hill’s Thistle, two plants on Minnesota’s Special Concern Species list, can also be seen on this site. (more…) |
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Plants |
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Native, naturalized, or invasive plants found in Minnesota: photos, description in plain english, identification tips, and where to find them. |
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Phlox |
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There are five species of Phlox that occur in Minnesota, all of them native. Wild Blue Phlox (Phlox divaricata ssp. laphamii), the most common by far, is found in moist, deciduous woods. Prairie Phlox (Phlox pilosa var. fulgida) looks similar but is found in dry woods and prairies. Wild Sweet William (Phlox maculata) is found on low woods, wet meadows, and along the banks of rivers and lakes. Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata) is a tall, cultivated plant that can get to six feet tall. It is found in rich, moist soil. Moss Phlox (Phlox subulata) is a prostrate ground cover found in rocky areas and sandy or gravelly soil. A similar plant, Dame’s Rocket (Hesperis matronalis), is a tall, showy, erect plant, often branched at the top. It has alternate, toothed leaves. Like all mustards, the flowers have four petals. |
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Identification Challenges |
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Distinguishing between plants that appear similar or identical |
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Solomon’s Seal |
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There are four species of “true” Solomon’s seal, two of which are found in Minnesota. They are similar in appearance to two of the three false Solomon’s seals found in Minnesota. They are also similar in appearance to the three twisted-stalks, two of which are found in the state. Determining the genus of these plants is easy in the spring when the plant is in flower. It is more difficult later in the season if neither flowers nor fruit are present. Determining the exact species can be challenging any time of year. (more…) |
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Insects |
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Insects found in Minnesota |
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Striped Ground Cricket |
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There are eighteen species of True Crickets (Gryllidae) found in Minnesota. Of these, eight are Tree Crickets, which have long, narrow bodies and live in trees. One is the Brown Trig, a light brown cricket that lives in bushes. The remaining eight species are more familiar in form. Two are Field Crickets and six are Ground Crickets. (more…) |
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