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North American Prairie Conference
Field Trip Information Summary
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
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Holland Sand Prairie State Natural Area |
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Brief
description of site and highlights of site (habitat, flora, fauna): |
- The Holland
Sand Prairie sits atop the Mississippi River Terrace, created about 12,000
years ago at the end of the last ice-age. Stretching nearly 30 miles from
south La Crosse to Galesville, WI.
- It was once
home to a great expanse of native sand prairie and natural dunes, but is
now almost completely developed into cities, towns, and farms.
- This preserve
is the largest remaining native tract on the terrace and is home to more
than 100 native plant species.
- More than a
dozen grassland bird species and prairie-dependent invertebrates reside
here as well.
- The
undulating dunes and hollows on the Holland Prairie are the only
undisturbed Aeolian (wind-formed) landforms in the area.
- This site was
protected through a partnership between the Mississippi Valley Conservancy
(the local land trust), the residents of the Town of Holland, and the
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. It was designated a State
Natural Area in 2007.
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| Walking distance,
rigor, potential hazards: |
- Round trip
walking distance from bus: 1 mile, give or take
- Rigor of
field trip: Easy – gently rolling terrain
- Potential
hazards at site: Ticks, poison ivy
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Area
of site (approximate acreage): |
61
acres |
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Duration of field trip: |
Depends on if put together with other stops. Based on other field trips to
the site, 1 to 2 hours can be plenty. |
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Access
for charter bus loading/unloading/parking: |
Site located just off CTH MH – easy access for bus |
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Availability of drinking water, rest rooms, shade: |
No
water or rest rooms; some shade on site |
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General location (direction/distance from nearest town):
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<1
mile West of Holmen, WI |
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Distance from Winona, MN: |
About
25 miles |
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Potential leader(s)/guide(s): |
Jessica Bolwahn, Jim Rogala or other |