Uplands

Upland habitats include a variety of habitats ranging from open grasslands to deciduous forest. Scattered remnant stands of two rare upland plant communities, tallgrass prairie and the globally endangered oak savanna, are present on the refuge. Less than one percent of both of these communities remains in Minnesota. In addition to these remnants, active restoration of these rare habitat types is underway on former agricultural lands that have been acquired.

Common upland birds found on the area include ring-necked pheasant, wild turkey, red-tailed hawk, rough-legged hawk, great horned owl, barred owl, and over 200 species of songbirds, including indigo bunting, eastern bluebird, savanna sparrow, and scarlet tanager. In addition, the area supports breeding populations of a number of bird species that are uncommon in central Minnesota or identified as important by bird conservation collaboratives. Le Conte's sparrow, bobolink, upland sandpiper, clay-colored sparrow, grasshopper sparrow, golden-winged warbler, and short-eared owl are examples of such species.

Mammals that frequent refuge area uplands include white-tailed deer, coyote, red fox, skunk, badger, and a variety of mice, voles, shrews, and ground and tree squirrels. Upland reptiles include one State-listed threatened species, the Blanding's turtle, and two State species of special concern, the western hognose snake and gopher snake.

Documented packs of gray wolf, a Federally threatened species, exist within 10 miles of the refuge. In addition, although none have been documented, the area is within the historic range of the Federally listed Karner blue butterfly. The refuge is also on the edge of the range of the Federally threatened Canada lynx.

The ranges of four Federally threatened or endangered plants overlap the refuge area. These are: Leedy's roseroot, Minnesota dwarf trout lily, prairie bush-clover, and western prairie fringed orchid. Although none of these species has been documented in this area, there is some potential for discovery.