Stony Mountain Prairie Preserve

Wood lily (Photo by Homer Edward Price)

See some of Manitoba’s prairie gems at this property located close to Winnipeg

The Stony Mountain Prairie Preserve is located on the top of the Stony Mountain escarpment. The preserve features a unique oasis of grasses and flowers common to the native tall grass and mixed-grass prairies that once covered the region. Just a 20-minute drive north of Winnipeg, within the town of Stony Mountain, this unique site is situated on limestone bedrock and features a valuable remnant of native prairie. From the preserve, visitors can explore five kilometres of easy recreational trails on a network connecting this scenic prairie habitat and naturally reclaimed limestone quarries. In spring and summer, watch for pollinators visiting the prairie crocuses, lilies and nectar plants that share this space. Visitors are asked to clean their boots after a visit, as this site also has invasive leafy spurge growing in several places. In winter, wandering the trail on snowshoes makes for a perfect nature break. No matter the season, this local treasure has something special to offer.

Plants to spot:

• wood lily
• big bluestem
• hazelnut
• blue grama grass
• milkweed
• wild bergamot
• large yellow lady’s slipper
• prairie crocus

Stay safe

Please stay safe and respect physical distancing and local health directives when visiting NCC properties. For more information, visit natureconservancy.ca/stonymountain.

This story originally appeared in the winter 2022 issue of the Nature Conservancy of Canada Magazine. To learn more about how you can receive the magazine, click here.

Explore additional content from our winter issue here >