The Conservancy’s Regal Meadow Preserve expanded through generous land donation

Dedication ceremony at the site on Thursday, July 27

Minneapolis, MN—July 13, 2006--The Nature Conservancy is celebrating the gift of 110 acres in Kandiyohi County, to be dedicated as the Knutson addition to Regal Meadow Preserve. A dedication ceremony will be held Thursday, July 27, from 5 to 7 p.m., and includes a walking tour of the property. The donor, Donald Knutson, Project Manager John Maile and former State Director Ron Nargang will give remarks.

“This preserve addition was made possible through the vision and generosity of Donald Knutson of Minneapolis, who served as a steward of the property for many years,” said State Director Peggy Ladner. “We are very grateful to Donald for deciding to protect this property forever and thereby assuring that future generations can enjoy this beautiful prairie.”

Situated on the south side of Minnesota Highway 55, west of the town of Paynesville, this property provides easy access for prairie explorers. Regal Meadow Preserve was acquired by The Nature Conservancy in stages, and because of the owners’ interest in land preservation, great care was taken to protect species, especially the small white lady's slipper, a species of special concern in Minnesota. Restoring prairie on the preserve has been an ongoing process, and continued grassland restoration and land acquisition will buffer these important prairie communities. The Conservancy is working with partners such as the Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in this preservation work.

“This is a great and exciting addition to the Regal Meadow Preserve,” said John Maile, Ordway/Glacial Lakes Project Manager. “Without the support from Mr. Knutson and other partners, it would be very difficult to maintain the natural connectivity of habitats like we have here in the Regal area.”

The parcel serves as an important corridor between the Conservancy's Regal Meadow Preserve and several state wildlife management areas and federal waterfowl production areas. The Crow River borders the property to the east. The land is considered to be a wet to wet-mesic prairie and, as such, supports many interesting wetland and wet-prairie species such as showy blazing star. More mesic and drier elevations support an abundance of native prairie grasses and flowers, such as purple and white prairie clover. Scattered aspen and willow also grow on the site. There is an active beaver lodge and dam on the property for those who enjoy watching those industrious creatures. Visitors to Regal Meadow Preserve will also not want to miss the thumping of the American bittern in the marsh, often audible for a half-mile. This medium-sized brown heron is one of several bird species found at Regal Meadow. As you are traveling along Highway 55, build a few extra minutes into your itinerary to stop and explore this wonderful new addition to the Minnesota Preserve System.