Golden Valley

Ecosystem Overview

The Golden Valley ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 90 taxonomic genera. Located in Hennepin County, Minnesota, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 21 frequently observed species and 19 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. This location ranks #2 for species diversity among 85 Hennepin County County natural areas, placing it in the 98th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

100

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 85 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 85 locations

98th percentile for diversity

vs. Edina

0% species diversity

Ecosystem Overview

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Biodiversity Highlights

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Species Distribution

Very Common‌

Common‌

Occasional‌

Rare‌

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

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Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 100 total documented species.

Spinus tristis

American goldfinch

Very Common40 obs.

Cardinalis cardinalis

Northern Cardinal

Very Common37 obs.

Haemorhous mexicanus

House Finch

Very Common27 obs.

Danaus plexippus

monarch

Very Common23 obs.

Junco hyemalis

dark-eyed junco

Very Common17 obs.

Spizella passerina

Chipping Sparrow

Common17 obs.

Sitta carolinensis

White-Breasted Nuthatch (Interior West)

Common17 obs.

Melanerpes carolinus

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Common16 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Common16 obs.

Turdus migratorius

American Robin

Common15 obs.

Eurosta solidaginis

Goldenrod Gall Fly

Common14 obs.

Dryobates pubescens

Downy Woodpecker

Occasional14 obs.

Buteo platypterus

Broad-winged Hawk

Occasional14 obs.

Aix sponsa

wood duck

Occasional13 obs.

Dryocopus pileatus

Pileated Woodpecker

Occasional12 obs.

Myiarchus crinitus

Great-Crested Flycatcher

Occasional12 obs.

Setophaga coronata

Myrtle Warbler

Occasional11 obs.

Archilochus colubris

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Rare11 obs.

Asclepias syriaca

Virginia-Silk

Rare11 obs.

Rhamnus cathartica

purging buckthorn

Rare11 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Get Your Personalized Field Guide

Download a professional PDF field guide featuring all the species found in Golden Valley. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Download a professional PDF field guide featuring all the species found in Golden Valley. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+12%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Hennepin County County, Minnesota

Nearby Natural Areas

Edina

Importance: 0.47

100 species

0% vs. current

Hennepin County

Importance: 0.45

100 species

0% vs. current

St. Louis Park

Importance: 0.42

100 species

0% vs. current

Plymouth

Importance: 0.42

100 species

0% vs. current

Brooklyn Park

Importance: 0.42

100 species

0% vs. current

Richfield

Importance: 0.42

100 species

0% vs. current

Maple Grove

Importance: 0.42

100 species

0% vs. current

Robbinsdale

Importance: 0.42

8 species

+1150% vs. current

About This Comparison

These comparisons are based on documented wildlife observations from citizen science data. Locations with higher species counts may have more observation activity, different habitat types, or larger coverage areas. Regional rankings help identify biodiversity hotspots and unique natural areas within Hennepin County County.

Regional Comparison

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Regional Ranking

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Species Count

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vs. Regional Average

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Nearby Natural Areas

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About This Comparison

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+12%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Hennepin County County, Minnesota

Nearby Natural Areas

Edina

Importance: 0.47

100 species

0% vs. current

Hennepin County

Importance: 0.45

100 species

0% vs. current

St. Louis Park

Importance: 0.42

100 species

0% vs. current

Plymouth

Importance: 0.42

100 species

0% vs. current

Brooklyn Park

Importance: 0.42

100 species

0% vs. current

Richfield

Importance: 0.42

100 species

0% vs. current

Maple Grove

Importance: 0.42

100 species

0% vs. current

Robbinsdale

Importance: 0.42

8 species

+1150% vs. current

About This Comparison

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

100

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 85 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 85 locations

98th percentile for diversity

vs. Edina

0% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 100 total documented species.

Spinus tristis

American goldfinch

Very Common40 obs.

Cardinalis cardinalis

Northern Cardinal

Very Common37 obs.

Haemorhous mexicanus

House Finch

Very Common27 obs.

Danaus plexippus

monarch

Very Common23 obs.

Junco hyemalis

dark-eyed junco

Very Common17 obs.

Spizella passerina

Chipping Sparrow

Common17 obs.

Sitta carolinensis

White-Breasted Nuthatch (Interior West)

Common17 obs.

Melanerpes carolinus

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Common16 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Common16 obs.

Turdus migratorius

American Robin

Common15 obs.

Eurosta solidaginis

Goldenrod Gall Fly

Common14 obs.

Dryobates pubescens

Downy Woodpecker

Occasional14 obs.

Buteo platypterus

Broad-winged Hawk

Occasional14 obs.

Aix sponsa

wood duck

Occasional13 obs.

Dryocopus pileatus

Pileated Woodpecker

Occasional12 obs.

Myiarchus crinitus

Great-Crested Flycatcher

Occasional12 obs.

Setophaga coronata

Myrtle Warbler

Occasional11 obs.

Archilochus colubris

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Rare11 obs.

Asclepias syriaca

Virginia-Silk

Rare11 obs.

Rhamnus cathartica

purging buckthorn

Rare11 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 100 species with 3-4 high-quality images each, detailed descriptions, and a downloadable PDF for offline use.

Premium field guide includes identification tips, seasonal patterns, and professional layout optimized for field use.