Minnesota Seasons - Butternut Valley Prairie SNA


	Location

	Maps
	Detail map (MN DNR)

	Printable Map(s) with GPS coordinates


	Size
	12½ acres

	Parking
	There is no ditch crossing or field access that would allow a visitor to pull off of the road. Park on the west shoulder of 478th Ave. N44 7.538, W94 20.947


	Driving Directions
	Get driving directions from Google Maps to this destination from any address, and send those directions to your phone. Your Address (street address and either city and state or ZIP code)

					Blue Earth County
					Southeast Minnesota


	Ecology

	Ecological Classification
	Ecological Province			Prairie Parkland Province
	Ecological Section			North Central Glaciated Plains
	Ecological Subsection			Minnesota River Prairie
	Land Type Association			Gibbon Till Plain

	Native Plant Communities*
	Mesic Prairie (Southern) Wet Prairie (Southern)
	* Source: The Minnesota Biological Survey, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Ecological Resources

	Natural Features


	Visitor Photos

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	MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos

	Parking


	Mesic Prairie (Southern)




	Wet Prairie (Southern)


	Serotinal




	On a recent trip this local resident offered to act as guide

Camera


	Slideshows


	Butternut Valley Prairie Scientific and Natural Area Brian

	About These photos are from one of the many unique ecosystems that are protected through Minnesota's array of Scientific and Natural Areas. The Butternut Valley Prairie Scientific and Natural Area is a mixture of well-preserved mesic and wet prairie.



	Butternut Valley Prairie SNA minnesota_snas

	About Described by regional SNA staff Brad Bolduan as "a little jewel," this small prairie remnant showcases outstanding biodiversity with little invasion of non-native species. Never drained, cultivated, nor grazed the only regular activities included haying, seed harvest and burning which has contributed to the site's excellent condition.

slideshow


	Visitor Videos

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	Other Videos


	Prairie Rose Cafe Dale Bohlke

	About The prairie rose is a common prairie wildflower and a good place to watch a variety of insects dining. The insects range from slow moving beetles to these flies that are in constant motion. The challenge is filming them on a day that is not too bright or windy, both conditions that the insects thrive in but are a nightmare for recording. Both video and audio were recorded using an iPhone6. Flight was slowed recording at 240 fps and played at 30 fps.

Camcorder

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Two plant species with conservation status in Minnesota are found here:
Threatened	Sullivant’s milkweed (Asclepias sullivantii)
Special Concern	rattlesnake master (Eryngium yuccifolium var. yuccifolium)