Agassiz Dunes
Scientific and Natural Area (SNA)/
Agassiz Environmental Learning
Center (ELC)
Features:
Two interesting sites are located near Fertile. Both locales
preserve remnants of Minnesota’s only dunefield associated with
Glacial Lake Agassiz. The ELC is owned and managed by the city of
Fertile and consists of a 640 acre natural area. There is an
interpretive center, a campground and ten miles of trail through
riverine forest, blufflands, oak savannah and prairie. The SNA is
managed by the Minnesota DNR. The SNA is 417 acres and contains dry
prairie and oak savannah communities.
Best Times To Visit: April through October.
Birds To Look For: Sharp-tailed Grouse, Greater
Prairie-Chicken, Sandhill Crane, Upland Sandpiper, Marbled
Godwit, Wilson's Phalarope, Marsh Wren, Clay-colored,
LeConte's and Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrows and a variety
of migrant songbirds.
Notes For Birding The Area: The
Sandhill River is a good corridor for songbirds in migration. The
Learning Center offers trails and a rustic campground that are open
every day. Call ahead for a program schedule and nature center
hours.
Features:
Two interesting sites are located near Fertile. Both locales
preserve remnants of Minnesota’s only dunefield associated with
Glacial Lake Agassiz. The ELC is owned and managed by the city of
Fertile and consists of a 640 acre natural area. There is an
interpretive center, a campground and ten miles of trail through
riverine forest, blufflands, oak savannah and prairie. The SNA is
managed by the Minnesota DNR. The SNA is 417 acres and contains dry
prairie and oak savannah communities.
Birds To Look For: Sharp-tailed Grouse, Greater
Prairie-Chicken, Sandhill Crane, Upland Sandpiper, Marbled
Godwit, Wilson's Phalarope, Marsh Wren, Clay-colored,
LeConte's and Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrows and a variety
of migrant songbirds.