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Dancing Prairie Preserve
Eureka, Montana
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the endangered Spalding's catchfly |
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To get there (directions below) |
Just north of Eureka, Montana lie the Tobacco Plains, a sea of grass surrounded by coniferous forest. Within this sea is a remnant prairie “island” known as Dancing Prairie Preserve. This island contains a complex mosaic of native prairie grasses growing in the gravely soils deposited by receding glaciers. In the midst of mounds known as drumlins there is a small natural amphitheater which is the last known dancing ground in Montana for the Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus). Equally significant is the presence of the world’s largest known population of the rare flowering plant Spalding’s catchfly (Silene Spaldingii).
The Vision
In 1987, The Nature Conservancy of Montana began acquiring land for Dancing Prairie Preserve, which now contains 680 deeded acres.
At this preserve is the largest population in the world of the rare Spalding's catchfly. Native to the Palouse prairie, this plant is critically endangered throughout its range due to loss of habitat. While Washington, Idaho and Oregon claim only hundreds of these plants, Dancing Prairie Preserve may host as many as 10,000 individuals -- this is at least 90 percent of the species' entire population. Found in the presence of rough fescue and needle-and-thread grass, this perennial plant is about 1 foot tall, bears a white flower in July and August, and has lime green foliage that is sticky to the touch. Since most of the suitable habitat for Spalding’s catchfly has been lost, Dancing Prairie Preserve, with its good condition grasslands, serves as a haven for this rare plant.
(More information about this plant, and other plants of special concern, are available on the Natural Resource Information Service web site maintained by the Montana Natural Heritage Program.)
Thanks to volunteer fencing efforts, the Conservancy is able to keep livestock out of the preserve. This effort and the acquisition of more habitat will insure that the rare catchfly flower will continue to bloom among prairie grasses.
A Herald of Spring
In parts of Montana the advent of spring is heralded by the calls of meadowlarks, the emergence of aspen leaves, or the appearance of a pasque flower. In the Tobacco Plains in the northwest corner of Montana, the dance of the Columbian sharp-tailed grouse is a sure sign of spring. From mid-March to mid-May male grouse gather before dawn, and then again in the evening, on a grassy plateau for the ritual display that precedes mating. In pairs male birds stamp their feet, flutter-jump, charge and stare at one another hoping to attract a female who will select a strong dancer for her mate. Believing that this dance should continue, The Nature Conservancy acquired and maintains Dancing Prairie Preserve. Unfortunately, our efforts may have been too late. No sharp-tailed grouse have been seen at the preserve in the last few years.
At one time the springtime ritual of dancing grouse occurred throughout the intermountain West. But by 1987 the birds had nearly vanished in western Montana and only three birds were seen at Dancing Prairie. This decline of the sharp-tails in the Tobacco Plains was most likely due to a combination of factors, including the loss of winter habitat along the Kootenai River. In the winter deciduous trees and shrubs provide both food and cover for the grouse. During the remainder of the year, the birds require standing grass or other vegetation for cover on the dancing grounds, as well as in nesting and brood rearing areas. Among other things, this cover provides protection from both ground and aerial predators for both adults and young.
Visiting the Preserve
Dancing Prairie Preserve can be reached from Eureka, Montana, by taking Highway 93 north one mile to the junction of Highway 37. Take Route 37 west about one mile to Airport Road. Go north on Airport Road two miles. The preserve, with a parking area and kiosk, will be on your right.
