We know from experience that maintaining permanent vegetative cover along the shorelines of rivers, streams and lakes leads to higher quality water and wildlife habitat. That’s why conservation groups are working with public partners and landowners to protect land along the Cannon River.
Thanks to the collaborative work of the Trust for Public Land, Goodhue County, and the Cannon River Watershed Partnership, the Minnesota DNR will add 205 acres to the Cannon River Turtle Preserve Scientific and Natural Area (SNA) and the Cannon Valley Trail will add 9 acres to this public trail system. The effort will help protect habitat important for turtles, such as Blanding’s turtle, one of southeast Minnesota’s rarest turtle species. It will also provide opportunities for wildlife-based recreation including hiking, hunting, fishing, bird-watching, and nature observation.
The addition of these newly protected lands is the outcome of people working together to achieve a shared vision for land stewardship. “This land protection project is emblematic of the great work The Trust for Public Land is doing with partners to protect lands along the Cannon River,” said DJ Forbes, Project Manager for The Trust for Public Land. According to Forbes, by coordinating with and responding to the priorities of the MN DNR, Goodhue County and the Cannon Valley Trail, land with exceptional natural resource value and immense outdoor recreation opportunities has been protected for Minnesotans to utilize and enjoy.
“This is an excellent opportunity for young and old to be a part of nature and protect the areas for future citizens to enjoy,” said Brad Anderson Goodhue County District 2 Commissioner and Cannon River Watershed Partnership Board Member. “The coordinated efforts of the organizations is the best way to acquire and protect these sensitive areas right outside our back doors,” he said.
The Cannon River, one of Minnesota’s seven Wild and Scenic designated rivers, flows through the newly protected land near its confluence with the Mississippi River in Red Wing. The land is primarily made up of floodplain forest, yet it also has steep slopes and prairie habitat high above the Cannon River. It also includes a calcareous fen, one of Minnesota’s rarest wetland types.
The Cannon Valley Trail also passes through this newly protected property. The beautiful 19.7-mile Cannon Valley Trail connects the cities of Cannon Falls, Welch and Red Wing, providing great opportunities to walk, run, and bike. According to CVT Manager Scott Roepke, a ‘Cultural Heritage’ park, planned for this new 9-acre parcel, will allow trail visitors to explore a unique flat-topped archeological mound and other culturally significant sites.
The 205-acre addition to the Cannon River Turtle Preserve SNA, which was funded by the Outdoor Heritage Fund, increases the SNA in size by nearly 25% and continues the protection of this dynamic environment. This SNA contains southern terrace floodplain and maple-basswood forest, oak-hickory woodland, and prairie with ongoing prairie reconstructions that look down on the Cannon River. This land is critical habitat for the “threatened” Blanding’s Turtle. The MN DNR’s SNA Program protects the best
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