Lawrence Prairie

State Natural Area (No. 340)

Location: Rock County.

Access: Closed to all public access.

Description: Lawrence Prairie contains a dry prairie complex that provides habitat for rare species. Plants found here include pale purple coneflower (Echinacea pallida), snowy campion (Silene nivea), and kitten-tails (Besseya bullii). Humans have been the most successful predator of the rare animal found here, which has experienced population declines primarily due to human exploitation and overharvesting. Habitat fragmentation and direct habitat loss by woody species invasion and the conversion of dry prairie to other uses such as agriculture and development is another major factor for the decline of these species. Lawrence Prairie is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 2002.