Deputy Project Leader Cathy Henry visits with volunteers as they collect wildflower seeds during Prairie Fun Day

Look what I collected!

The Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District and its' Friends organization  hosted a celebration of the prairie on Saturday, September 6, 2008 on the Hoykens Waterfowl Production Area (WPA), located in Clay County, MN.

In addition to a fantastic lunch sponsored by the Friends of the Detroit Lakes WMD, young and old alike enjoyed romping around on the prairie collecting seeds, while experiencing the wealth of splendid smells and stunning sights of a beautiful fall day.  "I had no idea the prairie was so beautiful" said a neighbor who showed up to help. "I drive by this (WPA) every day, but you don't have any idea what's out here until you get out and look around".

Other fun activities included the sale of duck stamps, a kid's scavenger hunt, a prairie mystery quiz, and the decoration of prairie tote bags.  The volunteer crew collected several tote bags full of blazing star, purple prairie clover, and coneflowers; this seed will be used in future native prairie plantings on WPA's.