Friends of Prairie Creek

Prairie Creek Wildlife Management Area:

A window into the past, present and future of Rice County, Minnesota.

Founded in 2014, Prairie Creek WMA includes the 460-acre Koester Prairie site (southwest of Dennison) and the 160 acre Engeseth-Rinde site (just north of Nerstrand.) Both sites are managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Explore the pages below to learn more about the rich history and promising future of our corner of Minnesota!

Prairie Creek provides visitors opportunities for amateur and experienced birders alike to go bird-watching with fellow prairie visitors.

Plants

Prairie Creek WMA provides habitat for a wide variety of plants that visitors can observe and enjoy.

Volunteering

Prairie restoration depends on the efforts of volunteers. The picture above shows Dave removing wild parsnip, an invasive species.

Game

Prairie Creek is open for hunting and attracts many species of game.

Research

Explore the research St. Olaf and Carleton students and faculty are doing at Prairie Creek WMA.

Interactive Map of Prairie Creek

Explore Prairie Creek WMA in the context of its surroundings.

The Koester Prairie site features native prairie, the most endangered ecosystem in North America, as well as oak savanna, another rapidly vanishing habitat. It is home to numerous species of native plants, birds, and mammals.

Koester Prairie Site

Engeseth-Rinde Site

The Engeseth-Rinde site was added in 2015 and is being restored from agricultural uses to feature oak savannah, prairie, and wetlands. Don Nelson, the former owner of the site, donated the land to be used for conservation, education, and research.

About Us

What is a Wildlife Management Area?

Apply for a grant

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Prairie Creek Wildlife Management Area:

A window into the past, present and future of Rice County, Minnesota.

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Koester Prairie Site

Engeseth-Rinde Site