Sandhill Crane Natural Area

For questions and further information regarding the Sandhill Crane Natural Area please contact Jeff Perry, Natural Resources Specialist, Anoka County at:

A master plan was completed for the Sandhill Crane Natural Area in Anoka County, Minnesota in December of 2001.  The plan includes a vision for the future of the Sandhill Crane Natural Area, setting/history/ and planning context information, resource inventory and analysis, program development, design concepts, and an implementation plan.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Anoka County, and the City of East Bethel began forming an inter-agency partnership in 1993 with the intent to combine respectively owned properties and to collectively manage a total of 533 acres of public lands.  The four agencies entered into a formal Memorandum of Understanding agreement which states each agency’s support for the goals outlined in the master plan and expresses intent to pursue the implementation of the master plan.

 

 

 

 

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The Sandhill Crane Natural Area is located in north central Anoka County, within the City of East Bethel.  The Sandhill Crane Natural Area is comprised of 533 acres of biologically significant lands which are unique to the Twin Cities Metropolitan Region and also notable to the State of Minnesota.  In the photo to the right is an example of the diverse native prairie and oak savanna plant communities that once dominated the landscape within the Sandhill Crane Natural Area.

At the time of European settlement, the uplands in the Sandhill Crane Natural Area were dominated by oak openings and barrens oak savanna plant communities.  Wet prairies, marshes and sloughs dominated the lower areas around the lakes.  These wetland communities included tamarack swamps and fens, which were unique to the region at the time of settlement.

Today, the Sandhill Crane Natural Area still harbors numerous plant and animal communities that are relatively undisturbed by humans.  The Sandhill Crane Natural Area and some of the adjacent lands are an outstanding resource, given its proximity to the vastly expanding metropolitan area.  Key conclusions from the natural resource analysis include the following:

  • The natural communities of the SCNA constitute one of the largest areas of undisturbed land in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area.
  • The natural communities of the SCNA provide the types of habitat for at least one rare plant and one rare animal.  The lance-leaf violet, a threatened species in the state of Minnesota, has been documented in some of the wetland communities. Blanding’s turtles, also threatened in Minnesota, have been documented within a mile of the SCNA, and it is likely that they make use of the site’s habitat.  Above-right is a photo of a Blanding's turtle.
  • Sandhill Cranes, once a species of special concern, are still considered a special find and are becoming more prevalent at the SCNA.
  • A long-term monitoring program will be established to detect ecological trends and to form and adapt possible resource management solutions.
  • The overall goal for the SCNA is to identify restoration and management needs and to define and implement strategies that can sustain the native biological diversity and overall ecological functions within and surrounding the SCNA.

Due to the unique ecological integrity of the SCNA, low impact, soft-surfaced trails and nature observation areas are the most desired recreational uses.  Already existing foot paths seem to be logical trail corridors that will require minimal, if any, modifications and will provide nature oriented recreational experiences.  Providing an area of handicapped accessability, under the concepts of the universal design framework, will provide more people of different levels of ability an opportunity to have life-enriching experiences at the SCNA.

The design program seeks to find a responsible balance between providing facilities and amenities that allow the public to enjoy the SCNA without compromising its natural character. The design program includes the following key components:

  • Provide a trailhead parking area.
  • Provide soft-surfaced recreational trails.
  • Provide observation areas to view wildlife.
  • Provide low-impact picnic areas.

At this time, there are no designated parking areas, trails, or other recreational amenities at the SCNA.  The Interagency Mangement Committee and the Citizen’s Advisory Committee are currently working together to implement the design program outlined in the master plan.  For the adventurous native plant and wildlife enthusiast, very limited parking (along city streets) and trail access opportunities are located at the dead-end of 209th lane NE and along 207th Avenue NE.  There are some existing earth-surfaced trails that have not been designated and only offer limited access and use opportunities.

Based on input from the SCNA Citizens Advisory Committee and a number of public meetings, residents of East Bethel highly value the open space and natural communities at the SCNA.  A recognition that the SCNA provides a number of environmental, social, and economic benefits is at the root of the value that its neighbors place on the area.  As such, there may be strong support among nearby landowners to adopt voluntary best management practices and land protection options that benefit the natural area by creating a future conservation buffer.  All private landowner rights will be fully respected and any conservation effort implemented on private lands will be strictly voluntary for interested landowners only.

The low-impact recreational development of the Sandhill Crane Natural Area, as outlined in the master plan, will require some capital investment.  In all likelihood, implementation will occur over a number of years as funding through various sources becomes available.  Emphasis will be placed on the priority of creating an access road, parking area, and trails in the northwest corner of the SCNA.  To the right is a photo of the uplands within the SCNA that are dominated by oak shrubland plant communities primarily due to fire suppression.

The Citizens Advisory Committee for the Sandhill Crane Natural Area examined the high quality natural resources of this unique area, and realize the potential for change as the area grows.  The Committee developed a vision that emphasizes protecting and enhancing the character and quality of lands and resources in the SCNA and surrounding area.  Following, are some of the primary goals identified by the Citizens Advisory Committee that will be critical to achieving the long term vision of the Sandhill Crane Natural Area:

  • Maintain the existing character and natural appearance of the SCNA by keeping the natural communities intact.
  • Maintain and restore the habitats that support sandhill cranes and Blanding’s turtles.
  • Keep the area open to the public for educational purposes and low impact environmentally sensitive recreation, but remembering the primary goal is to protect the natural vegetation and animals in the area.
  • Do not construct any buildings or paved surfaces within biologically significant areas.
  • Keep publicity to a minimum.
  • When designating soft-surfaced trails, avoid critical nesting areas and sensitive plant communities.
  • Work cooperatively with adjacent landowners to inform and employ best management practices and land protection options.
  • Continue regular meetings and active interface among the Citizens Advisory Committee and the Interagency Management Committee.

The Sandhill Crane Natural Area project has recently been nationally recognized by being the recipient of two national awards.  The National Recreation and Park Association - Great Lakes Region - presented their Partnership award to the SCNA at the national convention in Chicago, IL in July of 2000.  In addition, the National Association of Counties presented their Achievement award to the SCNA at the Annual Conference in New Orleans, LA in July of 2002.

For questions and further information regarding the Sandhill Crane Natural Area please contact Jeff Perry, Natural Resources Specialist, Anoka County at:

Updated 03/01/2004