Sam and I welcome you warmly. We especially invite colleges, universities, elementary and secondary schools, natural resource and artistic

organizations to use Sucker Creek Preserve for its

intended purpose: as an environmental learning lab.

~Sally Hausken, Chairperson

RIDGEWOOD TRANSFORMS AND SUCKER CREEK PRESERVE EMERGES

     Sucker Creek Preserve, acquired by the City of Detroit Lakes in August 2001, conserves 64.24 acres of a remnant of Minnesota's original post-glacial maple-basswood forest for future generations.  Visitors of all ages are offered a self-guided environmental learning experience.  Topography includes swamp, designated trout stream, woods and prairie.

     A circular parking lot welcomes three buses, six cars and a handicapped accessible van.  The handicapped accessible path threads through woods. A small prairie cul de sac hosts a hillside amphitheater allowing visitors a meadow-like view while learning about the Preserve.  Unimproved north and south perimeter paths add adventure for the trekker.

In memory of our Plant Ecologist, Janet Boe, our south perimeter

path has been dedicated as the Janet Boe Memorial Trail.

Amphitheater, completed October, 2003 seats 110.

DNR Plant Ecologist Janet Boe

On Highway 10 about 4 miles east of downtown Detroit Lakes, turn south onto 290^th Avenue.  After .3 (3/10) mile, enter the circular parking lot on the right. 

Entrance at time of acquisition by City of Detroit Lakes

December 2001

Restoration begins with staking in preparation for hydroaxing.

Restoration replaces natural contours

Seeding

Steve Maneval and Larry Hanson both U.S. Fish & Wildlife

seed native prairie grasses and wildflowers.

The last snows of spring embrace each seed, water each and increase in

 likelihood of each seed's contact with the soil attaching to dirt in the melting snow.

Installation of signs

Interpretive signs:  water processes, geology, archeology, biodiversity, plant communities and plant identification. 

Birds in the Preserve

                                                       Photo courtesy of Roland Jordahl

Archeology

Upper right corner shows actual photos of

artifacts in the Preserve

Sign Committee Member Mark Olsen site positions signs

                                                         Photo courtesy of Roland Jordahl

Technical Specialists Advisory Group

 do their first semi-annual walk-through

Technical Specialists Tera Guetter, Pelican River Watershed District,

Larry Hanson, US Fish & Wildlife, Donna Dustin, DNR Fisheries

Biologist, and Brad Grant, Becker County Soil and Water begin their

first semi-annual walk-through to check general health of forest, prairie,

water of Sucker Creek Preserve.

They study progress of native grass and forb seedlings.

Deer tracks!

REMEMBER THIS PRAIRIE!

Although prairies are in a constant state of flux, the first three years of a newly restored prairie are most remarkable in their coming-of-age.  Annuals and some invasive exotics (plants that were not here at the time the white man came) predominate the first season.  During the second season, prairie grasses strengthen their root systems and become more prominent above the surface.  The third year, native prairie grasses and wildflowers come into their own.  Think of the awe early pioneers experienced looking onto a sea of bluestem grass and Maximilian and other wildflowers!

Contracting completed.   

 Larry Hanson, US Fish & Wildlife, and Roy Estes, Parks Manager, view completed meadow in front of amphitheater.  Native grasses and wildflowers will grace its surface. From the amphitheater, audiences view performers in the foreground with a backdrop of meadow surrounded by woods.  The far background initially is meadow. 

Summer 2006

The Prairie's first summer

End of the Prairie's second summer

"Changing prairie - every year a new beginning"

"I never promised you a rose garden!"

Remember the looks of this prairie for the upcoming

third season and see how it changes!

Sucker Creek Preserve boasts its new Marshwalk!

Sucker Creek Preserve was fortunate to acquire a lot on the south side

of the creek in the little development of Brookridge. To access the

main parcel from Brookridge, the City installed a marshwalk.

The truck and the rain arrived the same moment!

City employees begin installing marshwalk.

       Summer

                                                         Photo courtesy of Roland Jordahl

           Fall

       Winter

DONORS TO SUCKER CREEK PRESERVE

The City's name is on the deed.  Viewing the donor signs

reveals the Preserve is owned by hundreds of contributors.

BTD Manufacturing, Inc.

sponsors the Amphitheater!

Larry Hanson poses.

More donors!

Sign Committee Member Mark Olsen created this sign for all the

committees that played a role in Sucker Creek Preserve.

2008 Wish List:

             We can always use a work crew for mulching!                  

BUILDING THE JANET BOE MEMORIAL TRAIL

Janet Boe's contribution on the Restoration and Sign Committees cannot be overstated.  Many of our signs reflect her influence.  Cancer death short-circuited an already admirable contribution.  In her memory, we named our south perimeter path the Janet Boe Memorial Trail. To now, 4 groups have offered efforts, the main group being the Family of Janet Boe. 

St. Laurentian Chapter of the North Country Trail Association

initiated the effort.

Detroit Lakes High School 2008 Day of Caring contributes an

intense morning of path mulching.

An Intervarsity Christian Fellowship Team from Castaway Camp

followed up with 3 hours with mulching.

Family of Janet Boe streamline the unimproved trail for

the delight and spiritual renewal of visitors.

Thom Soule, Janet Boe's widower, pauses a few moments

before he continues with the project.

SCENES FROM THE JANET BOE MEMORIAL TRAIL

A plethora of marsh marigolds!

Janet Boe Memorial Trail--our magic woods!

Sally Hausken and Donna Dustin

Donations to the Preserve are being accepted by the City.  Tax deductible contributions are to be made out to Sucker Creek Preserve and mailed to City of Detroit Lakes,

P.O. Box 647, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota 56502.

"Everything we eat, drink, wear or live in comes from the Earth. 

When we protect nature, we protect ourselves."

--Sally Hausken