Properties in the Mississippi River Greenway protected
Two properties located in the southern portion of Ravenna Township in Dakota County have received permanent protection through the Dakota County Farmland and Natural Area Program. Friends of the Mississippi River staff discussed protection possibilities with the two landowners and provided assistance to them during the application process. We are extremely happy that they have taken steps to protect the ecological functions of their properties. FMR staff also prepared natural resource management plans for both properties.
There are a number of reasons why these projects are important. These properties contain:
- Intermittent streams and meltwater ravines that drain to the Vermillion River
- Sensitive slopes
- Areas that have very high sensitivity to contamination of the Prairie Du Chien Aquifer
- Natural communities
These properties were also identified during the Mississippi River Greenway Strategic Planning process. They sit within the Ravenna Block identified in the plan and are ecologically connected to the Vermillion Bottoms and the Mississippi River by two creeks.
We would like to congratulate the Almquist and Curtis families for being great stewards of their land and the Dakota County Farmland and Natural Area Program for assisting these families in protecting this land. Dakota County and its residents certainly are leaders in protecting important natural areas.