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Nature Conservancy, Family Protect More Than 900 acres in Kandiyohi County

Acquisition includes important native prairie habitat and establishes Leif Mountain Preserve

Minneapolis, Minn.—September 30, 2004—Less than 1 percent remains of the tall grass prairie that covered most of the western and southern parts of Minnesota before European settlement. Today, The Nature Conservancy and a Kandiyohi County family ensured 905 acres of it will remain permanently protected for future generations when the conservation organization purchased the property from the family at a discounted price. At a ceremony Saturday, the Conservancy and the Langsjoen family will dedicate the property, to be known as the Leif Mountains Preserve, in memory of Leif Langsjoen, who stitched together the acreage over a period of several decades.

“Much of the credit for this conservation project goes to the late Leif Langsjoen and his entire family,” said Ron Nargang, State Director of The Nature Conservancy in Minnesota. “Their vision guarantees this remarkable prairie habitat will remain as it has for generations, providing refuge for wildlife and opportunities for public access.”

The property, which includes three separate parcels, contains 800 acres of prairie, rolling hills and prairie-pothole wetlands and harbors four plant species listed as Threatened by the state of Minnesota: the sterile sedge; whorled nut-rush; hair-like beak-rush; and the prairie moonwort. The remaining 105 acres are comprised of forest dominated by basswood and maple. One of the largest single landholdings in the region, the Preserve provides habitat for grassland nesting birds, waterfowl and shorebird species.

“Leif recognized the value of this area as habitat, at a time when most viewed it as submarginal farmland at best, or as wasteland,” said Leif’s son, Ross Langsjoen. “He patiently, even doggedly acquired and fit together many small parcels of land until he had created a unit large enough to qualify as a landscape. Leif would agree with the philosophies and objectives of The Nature Conservancy.  We feel confident that he would be very pleased that they are taking over stewardship of this area.  We wish them the very best.”

Moreover, the project guarantees public access for passive recreational uses such as hiking, nature study, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The family has provided an endowment fund to support the management and monitoring of the Preserve.

“This project builds upon our long-standing commitment to work with landowners and communities to conserve our native prairies,” said Nargang. “It is not every day we have the opportunity to protect 900 acres in this part of the state. It is a magnificent landscape.”

The acreage provides the Conservancy with an opportunity to continue its “grass banking” work with local landowners. Under the “grass banking” program, the Conservancy leases portions of the prairie to landowners in an effort to reduce grazing pressure on adjacent pasturelands. Providing periods of rest for neighboring pasturelands is one tool to support landowner efforts to ensure sustainable grazing.

Leif Mountains is located near five existing conservation areas totaling nearly 2,000 acres, including the Conservancy’s Moe Woods Preserve, its Ordway Prairie Preserve and Sheep Berry Fen, purchased in July 2004. The Preserve includes Deer Pond, leased by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources as a walleye rearing pond. The Conservancy will honor the DNR’s lease to manage the fishery.
 
Saturday’s dedication will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and  include an unveiling of a Preserve sign, a short hike through the prairie as well as refreshments and brief remarks from the Langsjoen family and the Conservancy.