Rare birds flock to little-known Maplewood grassland

In a corner of Maplewood, an unexpected grassland bursts with birdsong. The site, next to Ramsey County's correctional facility, provides a place for many endangered and rare bird species to nest and live.

Grassland birds don't have many places to call home in the Twin Cities, but they've found one on this former farm field next to a jail. Species of Greatest Conservation Need that use the grasslands there include the Henslow's sparrow, grasshopper sparrow, sedge wren, bobolink, dickcissel, field sparrow, northern rough-winged swallow and eastern meadowlark.

Some of these birds have been recorded at higher numbers at this site than almost anywhere else in the metro. 

Grassland bird populations have declined at an astonishing rate due to habitat loss. Minnesota has lost 98% of the grassland habitat that existed before European colonization. Because of that loss of habitat, the grasshopper sparrow population in Minnesota has plummeted 97% since 1966, and the endangered Henslow's sparrow, 67%. Other birds' declines are similarly dramatic.

An uncertain future for this special habitat

Despite its importance, the Maplewood grassland's future is uncertain. Ramsey County has explored several scenarios over the past few years.

Any major development would effectively destroy the 77-acre grassland's function for many of the rare and vulnerable birds who rely on the grasslands for nesting habitat. These species are very sensitive to habitat "patch size." Three species at the grassland have been found to need habitat areas of 74+ contiguous acres for reproductive success. 

However, with careful planning, the site may be able to accommodate a small development area along one edge by expanding and enhancing the grassland elsewhere on this parcel and in bordering park areas. Ecological experts need to study this possibility further.

Ramsey County leaders could also fully preserve the entire site by adding it to Battle Creek Regional Park. Funding sources like the state's Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund could cover the cost of habitat planning and management for the grassland. FMR works with many landowners to protect and manage sites using these funds. 

We continue to advocate for this special site to be properly protected and managed — and sooner rather than later. Without more care, invasive plant species that appear to be spreading throughout the grassland could eventually degrade the site. A lack of timely decision-making about preservation could, in essence, be a decision.

Want to see these grassland birds?

This site is part of the Ramsey County Correctional Facility and cannot be entered without special permission. Because some rare bird species present at the site build their nests on the ground, human (and pet) traffic would also be harmful.

However, you can observe the grassland's birds from the eastern trails in Battle Creek Regional Park. 

Using this park map, start from the southern parking lot at 2301 Lower Afton Road. Take the paved trail to intersection 1. From there, follow the unpaved trail east and north along the grassland's western edge. At intersection 4, head east to follow the grasslands' northern boundary.