Minnesota Valley NWR
Black Dog Unit
About • Location • Activities • Ecology
About |
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Ownership |
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Links |
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Overview |
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History |
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Black Dog Preserve Scientific and Natural Area was de-designated an SNA on November 9, 2011. In December, 2011, the USFWS acquired an additional 126 acres. The Nature Conservancy donated 95 acres it owned and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources donated or sold an additional 31 acres of state owned land. Together, these two parcels comprised the former Black Dog Nature Preserve SNA. Following the acquisition, the Black Dog Trail was closed until July 25, 2012, while the US Fish & Wildlife Service completed a refuge evaluation. Until 2012, a very small part of this preserve was a wildlife sanctuary and was accessible only to those with a research permit from the Minnesota DNR. The former(?) sanctuary could be viewed in its entirety from the adjacent raised railroad tracks. |
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Management |
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Comments |
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Location |
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Maps |
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Printable Map(s) with GPS coordinates |
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Complete |
West Section |
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Size |
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Parking |
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Cliff Road West Black Dog Road |
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Hours |
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Sunrise to Sunset for approved activities, including federal holidays |
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Fees |
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No fee No National Wildlife Refuge in Minnesota charges a fee |
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Driving Directions |
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Activities |
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Hiking Trails |
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Black Dog Trail |
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Hunting |
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No public hunting opportunities are found at Long Meadow Lake, Black Dog Units, Bloomington Ferry Unit, Upgrala Unit, Chaska Unit, or San Fransisco Unit |
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Ecology |
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Ecological Classification |
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| Ecological Province | Eastern Broadleaf Forest Province |
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| Ecological Section | Minnesota & NE Iowa Morainal |
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| Ecological Subsection | St. Paul-Baldwin Plains and Moraines |
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| Land Type Association | Pig’s Eye Alluvial Plain Wescott Moraine |
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Native Plant Communities* |
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Calcareous Fen (Southeastern) Mesic Prairie (Southern) Pin Oak - Bur Oak Woodland Seepage Meadow/Carr |
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| * Source: The Minnesota Biological Survey, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Ecological Resources | |||||||
Natural Features |
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Visitor Photos |
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Share your photo of this destination. |
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| This button not working for you? Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com. Attach one or more photos and, if you like, a caption. |
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Crystal Boyd |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos |
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Mesic Prairie (Southern) |
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Slideshows |
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| Black Dog Nature Preserve SNA Brian |
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About
Black Dog Nature Preserve Scientific and Natural Area in Savage, Minnesota, just south of the Twin Cities (Minneapolis and Saint Paul). For other photos from this site, click here. |
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Visitor Videos |
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Share your video of this destination. |
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| This button not working for you? Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com. Attach a video, a YouTube link, or a cloud storage link. |
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Other Videos |
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| Alec and I at Black Dog Lake PeterWongPhotography |
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About
Nov 28, 2020 Alec Johnson and I went out location scouting yesterday and this spot at Black Dog Lake is the spot. We shot some then and save for future outings, maybe with snow. Enjoy. |
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| Black Dog Lake to Cliff Rd Paul Paddock |
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About
Apr 17, 2021 |
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| Biking Minnesota (Stuck in sand and mud by Black Dog Lake) Droobi Wanders |
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About
Oct 2, 2020 Exciting trip that included beautiful view of the Mississippi Rivers, Black Dog Lake, Minnesota Valley National Wild Life Refuge. and other parts of the Snelling State Park. Minneapolis-St Paul, south of MSP. |
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| Black Dog Morning Mickey McCabe |
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About
Oct 15, 2015 |
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| Black Dog Lake Cleanup Conservation Minnesota |
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About
Jun 5, 2008 Ron Schara profiles Dick Duerre who has volunteered time over the past 3 decades to do water testing of Black Dog Lake. |
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Important Bird Area
Black Dog Lake is part of the Lower Minnesota River Valley Important Bird Area (MRVIBA). It is an important stop for migrating waterfowl.
Biological Control of Invasive Species
Leaf beetles have been released here by the Minnesota DNR in an effort to control the spread of purple loosestrife.
Degraded Fen
Many rare plant species formerly found on the calcareous fen no longer grow here. Water levels have been reduced due to draw down from urban wells.
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