Land in Conservancy
We have protected more than 1,500 acres, including some of the
highest quality natural areas along the St. Croix river. Standing Cedars uses
various tools to protect land. Some is purchased outright while other properties
are protected through conservation easements. Easements allow landowners to
maintain ownership of their land but permanently limits current and future development.
- Tewksbury
- The 50-acre property at Tewksbury offers beautiful views
of the St. Croix River. Many wonderful prairie plants grow here, including
leadplant, purple prairie clover, grama grass and pasque flowers. As you hike
through this site, look for the following:
- There are several old stone foundations and cellars on the
property, and clumps of lilac and iris, bearing testimony to the early settlers
who tried to farm this sandy, rocky piece of land.
- Oak savanna follows the ridge between the upper and lower
fields. Old growth forest can be found at the north end, in the ravine.
- Numerous springs on the adjacent National Park Service land
are also of interest
- To Park, drive west at the intersection
of 60th Avenue and 280th into the gravel driveway leading to Philadelphia
Community Farm. Park at the bottom of the hill on the left before you get
to the farm buildings. Cross the driveway and walk through an opening in the
trees to explore!
- Buffalo Skull
- There are many interesting areas to explore on this 245-acre
property, including dry cliffs, oak savanna, a moist ravine, maple/basswood
forest, and former farm fields. Highlights include the following:
- A 25-acre pasture on the north side of the property that
is full of prairie plants. Standing Cedars has removed many of the cedar trees
that had been taking over this area and has been burning and mowing to setback
the sumac, prickly ash and other invasive plants.
- The north end of the property is bordered by the St. Croix
river on one side and Buttermilk Falls and Creek on the other. To reach Buttermilk
Falls, follow the mown trail to the prairie. Look for a footpath at the far
right (northeast) corner of the prairie.
- Parking is available on the right side of
the road 1/2 mile west of the corner of 280th Street and 55th Avenue.
- Engelwood
- This 1,100 acre area of deep, wooded ravines, rare native
prairie, floodplain forest and wetlands was the largest single undeveloped
parcel of land on the Lower St. Croix River when it was purchased by Standing
Cedars in 1995. Home to a large stand of endangered kittentails, the land
has been studied by naturalists who consider it to have potential as a "ark"
to preserve rapidly-diminishing prairie species. Specific areas to visit are
included below:
- The old Engelwood Ski Area, which was in operation during
the 1950s and 60s, is a great place to hike. Located on the southern portion
of the property, you can still see many of the old ski runs (look for the
remains of the rope tows). The views from the tops of these hills are spectacular.
A path cuts through the old ski area to the river. There is an interesting
spring just to the south of the path along the river - the water bubbles up
through the sand.
- Just north of the ski area, at the eastern edge of the property,
is a goat prairie that contains a remarkable variety of prairie plants and
grasses.
- In the maple Basswood ecosystem at the north end of the property
there is a former road that now serves as a trail toward the river. This is
a fun trail for cross-country skiing with beautiful views of the St. Croix
Valley.
- Parking is located at the intersection of
280th Street and 20th Avenue.