MNR was engaged by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to collect baseline vegetation data as part of a proposed watershed-scale hydrologic restoration project at Sprague Creek Peatland Scientific and Natural Area located on the Canadian border in Roseau County, Minnesota. The data will be used during the project planning phase as well as analysis efforts following project implementation in subsequent years.

Vegetation sampling techniques in the field included the point-intercept method, relevé method, and general timed-meander surveys. This exhaustive effort included both vascular plant and bryophyte species. Additional tasks included the mapping of native plant community boundaries and rare plant surveys.

MNR botanists documented a number of spring fen channels (OPn93), which are state-protected under Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.223 and Minnesota Rules, part 8420.1020 and part 7050.0180. Rare plant finds included seven different state-listed species in addition to the modest aster (Canadanthus modestus), which represents the first-documented population outside of the Arrowhead region of Minnesota.