26 NEBRASKAland • MAY 2018
prairie and blue agates, the latter
being Nebraska's state gemstone.
Collecting is allowed on federal
land, except Toadstool Park, with
some regulations.
The soil has also preserved
countless fossils with clues to life
millions of years ago. Visitors
might see the fossilized shell of a
prehistoric turtle protruding from
the Toadstool Park area, where
other fossils such as entelodonts and
hyaenodons have been unearthed.
Only fossils of small invertebrates
and plants may be collected, though,
and strict regulations apply for
them.
One of the region's largest
fossil discoveries is presented at
the Hudson-Meng Education and
Research Center, an enclosed fossil
dig of 600 Alberta Culture bison.
Another, two mammoths that
died with tusks locked in battle, is
displayed at the Trailside Museum
of Natural History at Fort Robinson
State Park.
Biologically Unique
The expansive prairie here is
one of the largest intact grasslands
remaining in Nebraska and is
identified as a Biologically Unique
Landscape of the Nebraska Natural
Legacy Project, the state's wildlife
action plan.
The plan identifies four plants and
12 animal species in the area as either
threatened or endangered, including
the diminutive swift fox, ferruginous
hawks and Barr's milkvetch.
Plant communities found here
are western floodplain terrace
grassland, silver sagebrush shrub
prairie, greasewood shrub prairie and
northwestern mixed-grass prairie.
Intermittent playa wetlands support
waterfowl in the spring. Prairie bird
species love the western wheatgrass,
little bluestem and other grass
species.
Colonies of prairie dogs support
a variety of wildlife while the
badlands create a home for species
Ponderosa pine trees are obscured by early morning fog along Cottonwood Road in Sioux County.
Getting Out There
•
The Forest Service's Motor
Vehicle Use Map, available at the
district headquarters in Chadron
or online, is key to identifying
public land and knowing which
roads are open to driving.
•
The gumbo soil becomes
nearly impassable after rain –
regardless if you have two-wheel
drive or four.
•
Toadstool Park has a primitive
camping area with picnic shelters
and vault toilets for a small fee.
The remaining federal property
allows dispersed camping, and
vehicles may park within 300 feet
of roads.
•
The openness of the country
means there is not much shade,
nor cover from wind, rain and
hail. Cell phone service is limited
so GPS units and maps prove
helpful.
•
More information at fs.fed.us.
