6.2 at 1 Camp Cozy Park_NRMP_2023

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25 Friends of the Mississippi River Camp Cozy Park NRMP Rare Species According to the DNR natural heritage database, there are no rare species recorded within the Camp Cozy Nature Preserve. However, twelve rare species have been recorded within five miles of the site: However, twelve rare species have been recorded within five miles of the site; 1 reptile (Blanding’s turtle), 2 birds (the loggerhead shrike and lark sparrow), 3 mammals (the Northern long-eared bat, plains pocket mouse, and prairie vole), 3 plants (butternut, creeping juniper, and seaside three-awn), 2 insects (the uncas skipper and rusty patched bumble bee), and 1 mussel (Ligumia recta, the black sandshell mussel). This mussel is a species of special concern in Minnesota and has been recorded in the Mississippi River 0.5 miles from Camp Cozy. Habitat loss and degradation have been primary drivers of decline for species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) in the subsection, especially species associated with prairie and oak savanna. The two remnant dry prairies on the property are potential habitat for numerous rare species, including the prairie vole, rusty patched bumble bee, uncas skipper, and seaside three- awn. The property’s location along the Elk River near the confluence of the Elk and Mississippi rivers also makes it an important potential habitat for myriad plant and animal species, including the rare black sandshell mussel. Existing Wildlife Populations As stated, there are no rare species occurrences recorded on the property. However, a rare mussel species and a rare turtle species were found in the Elk River to the east of the property. It is possible that this species and others are present throughout this reach of the Elk River, which joins with the Mississippi a few miles downstream. Although no longer a rare species, bald eagles remain on the DNR watch list and are frequently seen flying above Camp Cozy. Many eagles have been seen flying along the river and across the property (there is a nearby nest at Bailey Point). Camp Cozy Park is also within a “High Potential Zone” for the Rusty patched bumblebee, a federally endangered species (Figure 8). These zones are based on a US Fish and Wildlife Service habitat connectivity model that estimates the likely distance of movement from known records of Rusty patched bumblebees within suitable habitat derived from National Land Cover Database maps. The zones suggest areas with the highest potential for the species to be present based on typical foraging distances and suitable habitat.