The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

The Nature Conservancy © The Nature Conservancy

Open to the Public

Yes

Things To Do

Plan Your Visit

Get Directions

Formed by the wave action of Glacial Lake Brainerd, the Brainerd Dune Sheet now is home to the Paul Bunyan Savanna, one of 5 jack pine savannas in the state.   Hiking and cross-country ski trails maintained by Northland Arboretum ski club provide access into this rare habitat.  In the savanna's sand soils grow prairie forbs and grasses, offering a shifting collage of colors from spring through fall.

Location
Brainerd, Crow Wing County, central Minnesota

Size
164 acres

Plants
The forested areas shelter woodland wildflowers, including shinleaf, rattlesnake-plantain, blue-bead lily, and pink lady's slipper. In the savanna, prairie vegetation grows under the jack pine canopy.  The dry, sandy soil supports drought tolerant forbs, including silky prairie clover, birdfoot Violet, blue-eyed grass, gayfeather, and pasque flower.  Grasses include big bluestem, kalm's brome, muly-grass, porcupine grass and june grass.

Animals
The Blanding's turtle, a state threatened species, is found in the savanna and nearby wetlands, along with the eastern hognose snake, a species of special concern.

Why the Conservancy Selected This Site  
The Paul Bunyan Savanna is on of five remaining jack pine savannas in the state. Located near a dump and the railroad, the savanna escaped development, even in the heart of Brainerd, and the preserve was acquired by The Nature Conservancy in 1986.

What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing
Management of the savanna must consider the needs of both prairie and jack pine, which together give the community its unique character.  The frequency and intensity of fire required to maintain jack pine savanna must be determined at the site by monitoring the community's response to controlled burning.  As few fires have occurred in the area since the 1950's, safety concerns dictate that existing trees be thinned to reduce the fuel load before extensive areas can be burned.

The thinning effort got underway in 1991, when staff  and volunteers from Northland Arboretum and the Conservancy cut and removed the smaller jack pines from a five-acre plot supporting the best remnant of the savanna. Since then, the restoration has expanded, giving the prairie vegetation an opportunity to rebound as more sunlight reaches the ground.

The Northland Arboretum, established in 1965, is adjacent to the savanna. Their trail system, which also passes through the preserve, attracts joggers, hikers, and cross-country skiers.  The preserve also abuts the Paul Bunyan Trail, a popular walking, hiking, and snowmobile trail maintained by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.  For more information on visiting this and other Minnesota preserves, check out our Preserve Visitation Guidelines.

Things To Do

Plan Your Visit

Directions

Follow State Highway 210/371 to NW Seventh Street. Go north on NW Seventh a few blocks to the adjacent Northland Arboretum entrance.  Parking is available at the Arboretum for a $3.00 fee.

Discussion

Have you been to this preserve? Are you thinking of visiting? See what others are saying about their experiences and add your comments below.

Add Your Comments

Time for you to join the discussion. Tell us about your experience at this preserve. What plants and animals did you see? When did you go? You can help others plan their visit when you share your thoughts. And thank you for visiting one of our nature preserves!

Read our guidelines on posting comments