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Recognition: |
The Nature Conservancy Natural
Areas Registry |
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| Size: |
9 acres |
| Location:
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Within the Petersburg St. Game
Area,in western Monroe County |
| Management: |
Petersburg State Game Area |
| Activities:
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Nature study, photography,
wildflower viewing, walking, outdoor education |
Importance:
The Lake Erie Plain once supported a rich matrix of extensive lowland prairie, oak
savanna, flatwoods, and swamps. The prairies were drained and brought under the plow, the
forests cut, and the lack of fire let the savanna become oak woods. In this natural area,
a tiny fraction of the original lakeplain oak opening complex remains. Mesic sand prairie
on lower ground between remnant oak savannas on low ancient beach ridges is being restored
by the MDNR Wildlife Division and local volunteers. A variety of colorful prairie
wildflowers may be seen from May through September, such as butterflyweed, tall coreopsis,
sunflowers, blazing star, wood lily, culver's root, prairie rose, ironweed, New England
aster and blue gentians. Tall prairie grasses also abound. |
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