Ramsey County is not normally seen as a prairie landscape, but prior to settlement prairies were scattered across the county. There is currently over 350 acres of prairie in Ramsey County Parks. Ramsey County Parks' prairies are found in 10 different parks. Over 300 acres of the prairie has been planted. The planted prairies range from 1 year to 19 years old, with most of it less than 6 years old.
All maps are PDF files.
Ramsey County Prairies -Individual Location Maps
1. Rice Creek North
2. Long Lake
3. Tony Schmidt-Lake Johanna
4. Grass Lake
5. Tamarack Nature Center
6. Bald Eage-Benson Prairie
7. Battle Creek East
8. Battle Creek West
9. Little Lake Josephine
Common Prairie Plants
Prairie Management Information
January 18, 2012
Prairie and Savanna Restoration at Grass Lake
A prairie and savanna restoration project is underway at the Grass Lake portion of Snail Lake Regional Park. The project area being restored is south of Gramsie Road.
The restoration project will consist of invasive tree and shrub removal and prairie restoration on 33-acres it is anticipated to get started in mid- January. The first activities will be the removal of the trees and shrubs that include Siberian elm, buckthorn, and black locust. John Moriarty, Ramsey County Parks Natural Resources Manager says the tree removal is necessary in our efforts to control invasives. However, large cottonwoods, oaks and aspen will be kept. Open areas will be reseeded with native prairie grasses and wildflowers. The site preparation of for the prairie will consist of a prescribed burn over the entire project area and the application of herbicide to kill the existing grasses. The map shows the project scope and approximate location.
After site restoration activities have been completed, required maintenance will be conducted over the next two years consisting of mowing and weed control in an effort to provide improved growth for native plants. When the prairie is established it will provide habitat for an increased variety of birds and butterflies. This project is being funded with a DNR Conservation Partners Legacy Grant.
An additional 20-acre savanna restoration was completed this past year on the southwest portion of Grass Lake. The restoration was done with a State Wildlife Grant in partnership with Great River Greening. This project consisted of invasive species removal, mainly buckthorn, and overseeding with native grasses and wildflowers. The restored site will be added to our prescribed burn program.
