The 165 acres of Schaefer Prairie is in south central Minnesota, and was bought by the Nature Conservancy in 1967 to preserve its natural resources. Although it was mowed for hay yearly in the first half of the century, it has never been plowed. It contains both wet and mesic habitat, making it a gem of diversity. I visited on 15 August, although this is a prairie with great treasures throughout the season. This area has been heavily drought stricken, as evidenced by the unusually low water table. I could have walked in dry tenners where in a normal year, high rubber boots would be required. Still, prairie plants in general have very deep root systems (2-20ft and deeper), and most species seem relatively unaffected.
Allium stellatum (Prairie onion) variations.
Asclepias incarnata (Swamp milkweed) x3, Andropogon gerardii (Big Bluestem) in a sea of same, and Artemisia ludoviciana (white sage).
Edited to reload photos
