Makoce Washte (Beautiful Earth) Native Prairie consisting
of 40 acres of native prairie flora and fauna. Located a mile and a quarter directly north of Dewey Gevik Nature Area, thus
giving a person the opportunity to visit two great nature areas in a small time frame.
Makoce Washte location relative to Dewey Gevik
Makoce August 31, 2010
Click on lower right for full screen.
Makoce in July, 2010.
Click on lower right for full screen.
During the last week of August, 2009, a crew of dedicated workers from the Nature Conservancy
and volunteers from the Sioux Falls Bird Club worked on putting fencing up and restoring the sign at Makoce Washte Native
Prairie a mile north of our blind at Dewey Gevik.
Pasqueflower, the state flower of South Dakota blooms in mid April at Makoce Washte.
Plants The many blooms of the wildflowers found here span from white
to pale blue to bright, flaming red. In August, for example, there are dozens of species of plants in bloom. This
profusion of color would include the delicate pink petals of the wild rose, the bluish pale spike lobelia and the vibrant
purple of blazing star. The rare Downy Gentian can be found in September.
Animals The preserve is home to bobolinks, meadowlarks, sedge
wrens, and other common grassland nesting species. Its small size however limits its ability to provide the necessary
habitat components most grassland bird species need to survive. Butterflies and small mammals are common. The endangered Regal
Fritillary can be found in July and August.
