Description
Book SynopsisAn illustrated guide to the natural habitats and rich diversity of wildlife in the greater Minneapolis and St. Paul metro area
Though the Twin Cities and environs have proven a fine habitat for one particular species, the three million humans who call the area home share these 3,000 square miles with myriad animals and plants, all in a mosaic of various ecosystems. While most of the region’s wildlife has lost its original habitat to agriculture and urban development, a significant patchwork of native and restored habitat remains—prairies, woods, and wetlands, along with pockets in the parks and open spaces throughout the cities and suburbs. This easy-to-use guide gives novice and long-time naturalists alike the tools to find and explore these natural places in the metropolitan Twin Cities, some within the city limits and all within an hour’s drive of downtown Minneapolis.
John J. Moriarty is a congenial expert on the remarkable diversity of plants and animals in the region’s habitats, from prairies and savannas to woods and wetlands such as swamps and marshes, to fens and bogs, lakes and rivers, and urban and suburban spots. Featuring Siah L. St. Clair’s remarkable photographs, maps, and commentary on natural history, this field guide invites readers to investigate the Twin Cities’ wildlife—familiar and obscure, sun-loving or nocturnal, shy or easily observed. Here are snapping turtles, otters, and Cooper’s hawks, the wild lupines, white water lilies, and sprawling white oaks, among hundreds of species found in the wild, the park, or even the backyard. Including notes on invasive species and a list of references and organizations, this book is a perfect companion and an unparalleled resource for anyone interested in discovering the rich natural world of the Twin Cities.
Trade Review"This easy-to-use guide includes pictures of plants and animals arranged by regional parks, from chipmunks to garter snakes, invasive buck thorn to oak trees. It will enrich your admiration for these creatures and plants that thrive alongside 3 million humans in a ‘mosaic of various ecosystems.’"—Pioneer Press
"Here is proof that you need not go beyond the boundaries of the metro area to find new and exciting natural places to visit, and fascinating to see."—Star Tribune
"This easy-to-use guide gives novice and long-time naturalists alike the tools to find and explore these natural places in the Twin Cities metro."—Minnesota Outdoor News
"This book is a perfect companion and an unparalleled resource for anyone interested in discovering the rich natural world of the Twin Cities."—Community Reporter
"This a high quality guide for amateur naturalists in the Twin Cities region."—CHOICE
Table of ContentsIntroduction
Prairies
Savannas
Big Woods
Oak Woods
Wetlands: Marshes and Swamps
Fens and Bogs
Lakes
Rivers
Urban and Suburban
Appendix A. Natural Areas and Parks by Habitat
Appendix B. Animals and Plants by Habitat
Checklist of Vertebrates of the Twin Cities
Resources
Index
