Restoration Efforts
Click the photo to find out more about the different kinds of management strategies being used at Prairie Creek WMA.
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Koester Site
The Koester site contains concentrated areas of highly diverse native prairie as well as Dry Hill Oak Savanna. These vanishing North American habitats were two reasons why this area was deemed eligible for the Native Prairie Bank Easement Program. There is currently a Native Prairie Bank Easement on 133 acres of the site.
Koester Prairie is also home to rare native species of plants and animals, such as the Prairie Crabapple and the endangered Henslow's Sparrow. The land contains relatively high quality habitat and a diversity of valuable ecosystems.
Restoration processes include prescribed burning, removing invasive species, and biomass harvesting.
Engeseth-Rinde Site
The Engeseth-Rinde site contains some native plants and wetlands. Parts of the site will be restored to prairie. Restoration activity happening at the Engeseth-Rinde site includes burning, weeding and reseeding.
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Plans for the site are being developed by representatives from St. Olaf College, Carleton College, Don Nelson's family, Northfield Shares, Friends of Prairie Creek, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
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How do the sites differ?
The Engeseth-Rinde and Koester Prairie sites have physical differences and different restoration processes:
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1. The Koester Prairie site used to be used for grazing and has native prairie;
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2. the Engeseth-Rinde site has been used for growing crops and does not have native prairie.
3. The ​ Koester Prairie site also produces its own seeds; Engeseth-Rinde site will have to import them.
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Despite the differences, there will also be some similarities in the restoration process because the Koester Prairie site and Engeseth-Rinde site both require removal of unwanted brush and undesirable trees, prescribed burning, and rejuvenation of natural grasses.
We would like to thank the following organizations who support our work:
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Minnesota Valley
Koester Farms Partnership
Find out more about Prairie Creek's history of public and private conservation.