Size:
41.5 acres
Activities at this tract:
Open SPRING/SUMMER/FALL only!
Hiking/Snowshoeing trail, Canoeing/Kayaking access, Fishing, Naturalist activities. Trail information can be found here.
Species of Interest:
Deciduous forest, with pockets of mixed forest harbor a variety of uncommon bird species like Wood Thrush, Yellow-throated Vireo, Scarlet Tanager, and Great Crested Flycatcher. Deciduous forest plants and insects should be expected, but this is our newest property so limited exploration has been done!
If you do explore this property and have some interesting sightings email Head Naturalist Clinton at naturalist@saxzim.org with your report!
Check out the species documented on iNaturalist for this property here.
Parking:
Note: There is a small summer only parking area at the end of Boy Scout Road. This parking area is a turn around for the plow. Please do not park here in the winter!
Signage:
No Hunting, No ATV, and Property Boundary Signs
Location:
Wood Thrush Woods is found at the end of Boy Scout Road, near the Whiteface River. This property is bordered by alder swamp/brushland and contains mixed forest, with abundant riverine forest species at the northern end of their range.
Directions:
From the Welcome Center: Head South along Owl Avenue to Correction Line Road. Continue east on Correction Line Road. Eventually, this road turns north and changes names to Dass Road. Head North on Dass Road until Boy Scout Road. Turn east on Boy Scout Road and continue to parking area (road dead ends).
From Cotton: Head west on Arkola Road (Cty Rd 52). Continue west of Hwy 7. Head South on Poplar Road. At the end of Poplar Road, head west onto Cty Rd 29. Continue west until road turns south and changes names to Dass Road. Continue South on Dass Road and turn east on to Boy Scout Road. Continue east to parking area (road dead ends).
Property Namesake:
Wood Thrush Woods was named after both a bird and its particular habitat type. Most of the Friends of Sax-Zim Bog properties have “Bog” in the name. However, Wood Thrush Woods contains no bog, but rather important riverine forest habitats that harbor a safe haven for more southern species like Wood Thrushes. Part of the Friends of Sax-Zim Bog mentions land preservation in the Sax-Zim Bog Important Bird Area, but that doesn’t mean bog habitats are the only habitats worth protecting. This location is special in the sense that it will offer unique education opportunities in the Sax-Zim Bog, as well as offer visitors a chance to see the entire diverse bird community within the Sax-Zim Bog Important Bird Area!
Donor Notes:
In addition to the generous donors above, St. Paul Audubon and Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter (MRVAC) donated to FOSZB for a large interpretive sign to be placed at the site in 2023.
And we also thank the family and friends of George Lahr, for which the trail is named in Memory of.