Native mixed grass prairie Sand Lake Wetland Management District 02 (14614585141)

Charley Harley Waterfowl Production Area is located in the Sand Lake Wetland Management District in northern South Dakota. It was prescribed burned in the spring this photo was taken, resulting in a mix of native grasses, sedges, and forbs. Dozens of native species are in this photo, including the yellow flowers of Maximillian and stiff sunflower, purple flowers of leadplant, and reddish stems of big bluestem. Native prairie is a complex system and is difficult if not impossible to fully reconstruct once it is gone.

Photo: Tom Koerner/USFWS