Richard M. & Mathilde Rice Elliott SNA

497 acres

North Section: 342.65

South Section: 154.6 acres

There is a field road on the south side of County Road 188 (130th St.) at the northwest corner of the south section. Park on the field road.

N46 35.234, W96 21.933

No maintained trails

No hunting

Minnesota DNR

The Nature Conservancy

Wet Prairie
The surface of this wet prairie is uneven. There are innumerable small depressions, some no more than 18″ in diameter, with standing water ankle deep or deeper. They are partially or completely hidden from view by grasses and forbs. Attempts to avoid them will be met with limited success. Waterproof footwear is highly recommended.

What’s In a Name?
This SNA is owned by The Nature Conservancy (TNC). The TNC Web page for this site uses the name Richard M. & Mathilde Rice Elliott Prairie. The Minnesota DNR’s Web page uses the name Richard M. & Mathilde Rice Elliott SNA, dropping the word “Prairie”. The wood routed sign on the site reads “Richard M. and Mathilde Rice Elliott State Natural Area.” The TNC GIS database refers to the site as “Western Prairie North.” The Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas (Bell Herbarium) also refers to the site as ”Western Prairie North.”

Wood Routed Sign

Parking

Wet Prairie (Northern)

Elevated View from Southwest Corner

All of the observations below were made on the south section of the SNA.

Five bird species with conservation status in Minnesota and one tracked species have been seen here:

Minnesota DNR Bird checklist

One insect species with conservation status in Minnesota has been seen here:

One mammal species with conservation status in Minnesota has been seen here:

Two plant species with conservation status in Minnesota and one species on the watch list are found here:

Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas Plant List