Welcome!
Welcome to the Morton Outcrops SNA Self-guided Bioblitz 2020! We’re excited to have your help recording the biodiversity of this site and enhancing our species list! We welcome observations of all taxa. Please take some time to read the information below before visiting the SNA to make observations. To learn more about Minnesota Scientific and Natural Areas, check out the website and visiting guidelines . For more information on how to use iNaturalist, check out this video tutorial from SNA naturalist, Arika Preas. And don’t forget to spread the word, using #SNABioBlitz 2020!
Keep in mind, this is a self-guided Bioblitz, which allows individuals and household groups to get outside and contribute to citizen science while practicing safe social distancing. See more information on the DNR response to COVID-19.
Visiting Morton Outcrops SNA to make observations, Know Before You Go:
o Brief description: Welcome to Morton Outcrops SNA! This SNA features the oldest known bedrock in Minnesota and among the oldest in the world, classified as “Morton Quartz Monzonite Gneiss.” This site is of outstanding biodiversity significance, supporting one of the state's largest examples of Crystalline Bedrock Outcrop Prairie. Check out the webpage for more information on this site.
o Visiting guidelines and rules for this site: Scientific and Natural Areas belong to us all; treat them with care. They protect the last remaining habitat for Minnesota's rarest plants and animals. Recreation is limited to protect this habitat and natural diversity.
Be light on the land: don’t litter, don’t disturb wildlife, and don’t pick or collect any natural features. Leave only footprints, take only photos!
-Follow all site rules. Allowed: bird and wildlife watching, hiking, photography. Not allowed: Dogs, motorized vehicles, biking, hunting, camping. See the full list of rules on our webpage.
o Parking and directions: In Morton, on NE corner of US Hwy 71 and MN Hwy 19. We have permission for you to park in the motel lot, but please take care to park out of the way of traffic and close to the woods on the east side. Hike NE into site, look for footpaths to get through the brush to the outcrops. Lat/Lon: 44.549854, -94.991403 Map it.
o Recommendations for where to hike and make observations:
-Be aware that this site does not have any maintained trails or facilities so plan accordingly. It is brushy and difficult to navigate in areas. Look for footpaths to get through the brush, be aware of your footing, and look for SNA boundary signs (it is a small, 15 acres SNA).
-Walking is typically easier on the rock outcrops
-There may be some dragonfly species near the ponds in the SNA, we encourage observations of them
o Map of site.
o What to bring and wear:
-Dress for the weather, and also to prevent tick bites and poison ivy contact (wear long sleeves and long pants tucked into socks, wear lightly colored clothing to spot ticks more easily)
-Snacks and water
-A hand lens, binoculars, a notebook, field guides, anything you like to use to observe!
-Sun screen, bug spray, a hat
-A boot brush, if you have one, to clean off your boots before and after your visit to prevent the spread of invasive species
o Have questions or want more information? Email Kari Wallin, SNA Volunteer Outreach Specialist, at kari.wallin@state.mn.us.
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