Historical Walk in Schaefer Prairie

Schaefer Prairie is a remnant of the once vast northern tall grass prairie that
covered millions of acres in Minnesota, the Dakotas and Iowa. Today, the rich soils of wet, mesic, and dry prairies at Schaefer harbor an estimated 275 plant species, 245 of which are native to Minnesota. In 1955 Dr. Walter Breckenridge, a founding board member of the Minnesota Chapter and director of the Bell Museum of Natural History, visited the site then known as Brownton Prairie and recommended its preservation as a research area. At the time Lulu Schaefer Leonard, whose mother had bought the land from the Dakota Indians in 1881, owned the property. Mrs. Leonard agreed to sell to the Nature Conservancy in 1967. Schaefer Prairie contains many unique animals and plants that can be researched and observed by groups visiting the site. Join DNR Wildlife Conservationist Joe Stangel and the local McLeod County Pheasants Forever Chapter leader as we take a historic walk in Schaefer Prairie. The following are just some of the different species that call Schaefer Prairie their home. Plants: Sullivant's Milkweed-(a threatened species), Nuttall's bur-reed-(special concern), Hill's thistle-(special concern), big and little bluesteam, and Indian grass. Also uncommon are the prairie loosestrife and small white lady's slipper. From May through September, visitors are treated to a beautiful display of wildflowers. Animals: Two butterflies of special concern, the Poweshiek skipper and regal fritillary inhabit Schaefer Prairie. A significant number of bird species are also present, including the upland sandpiper bobolink and American bittern.
With a donation from the McLeod County Chapter of Pheasants Forever, the
Museum will be selling $10 packets of Native Prairie grass the week of May 23rd-30th as a fundraiser. This way everyone can have a small part of McLeod County History in their backyard. The seed is a tall grass prairie mix that would have grown in the oak savanna area of McLeod County, and includes grasses as well as flowers. The remainder of the seed will be used around the Museum's Log Home.