Afton

Ecosystem Overview

The Afton ecosystem supports 55 documented wildlife species across 51 taxonomic genera. Located in Washington County, Minnesota, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 12 frequently observed species and 10 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. Compared to nearby Stillwater, Afton hosts 244% more species diversity. This location ranks #3 for species diversity among 13 Washington County County natural areas, placing it in the 77th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 13 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common12 species

Common16 species

Occasional17 species

Rare10 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#3 of 13 locations

77th percentile for diversity

vs. Stillwater

+244% 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 55 total documented species.

Cercyonis pegala

Common Wood Nymph

Very Common2 obs.

Molothrus ater

Brown-headed Cowbird

Very Common2 obs.

Rudbeckia hirta

Blackeyed Susan

Very Common2 obs.

Digitalis lanata

Grecian foxglove

Very Common2 obs.

Spizella pusilla

Field Sparrow

Very Common2 obs.

Vanessa virginiensis

American Lady

Common2 obs.

Micrathena mitrata

White Micrathena

Common1 obs.

Coenonympha california

Common Ringlet

Common1 obs.

Libellula luctuosa

Widow Skimmer

Common1 obs.

Bombus vagans

Half-black bumble bee

Common1 obs.

Tachycineta bicolor

Tree/Violet-Green Swallow

Common1 obs.

Bombus impatiens

Common Eastern Bumblebee

Occasional1 obs.

Bombycilla cedrorum

cedar waxwing

Occasional1 obs.

Ursus americanus

American Black Bear

Occasional1 obs.

Odocoileus virginianus

Key Deer

Occasional1 obs.

Castor canadensis

Canadian beaver

Occasional1 obs.

Vespula vidua

Widow Yellowjacket

Occasional1 obs.

Polioptila caerulea

Blue-Grey Gnatcatcher

Rare1 obs.

Polistes fuscatus

Dark Paper Wasp

Rare1 obs.

Diabrotica barberi

Rare1 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 Afton. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+120%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Washington County County, Minnesota

Nearby Natural Areas

Stillwater

Importance: 0.43

16 species

+244% vs. current

Washington County

Importance: 0.42

100 species

-45% vs. current

Forest Lake

Importance: 0.35

10 species

+450% vs. current

Mays Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+5400% vs. current

Lake McKusick

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+5400% vs. current

Marine On St. Croix

Importance: 0.30

6 species

+817% vs. current

Lake Elmo

Importance: 0.28

61 species

-10% vs. current

Bayport

Importance: 0.28

4 species

+1275% 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 Washington 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

Species Count

+120%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Washington County County, Minnesota

Nearby Natural Areas

Stillwater

Importance: 0.43

16 species

+244% vs. current

Washington County

Importance: 0.42

100 species

-45% vs. current

Forest Lake

Importance: 0.35

10 species

+450% vs. current

Mays Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+5400% vs. current

Lake McKusick

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+5400% vs. current

Marine On St. Croix

Importance: 0.30

6 species

+817% vs. current

Lake Elmo

Importance: 0.28

61 species

-10% vs. current

Bayport

Importance: 0.28

4 species

+1275% vs. current

About This Comparison

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 13 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common12 species

Common16 species

Occasional17 species

Rare10 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#3 of 13 locations

77th percentile for diversity

vs. Stillwater

+244% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 55 total documented species.

Cercyonis pegala

Common Wood Nymph

Very Common2 obs.

Molothrus ater

Brown-headed Cowbird

Very Common2 obs.

Rudbeckia hirta

Blackeyed Susan

Very Common2 obs.

Digitalis lanata

Grecian foxglove

Very Common2 obs.

Spizella pusilla

Field Sparrow

Very Common2 obs.

Vanessa virginiensis

American Lady

Common2 obs.

Micrathena mitrata

White Micrathena

Common1 obs.

Coenonympha california

Common Ringlet

Common1 obs.

Libellula luctuosa

Widow Skimmer

Common1 obs.

Bombus vagans

Half-black bumble bee

Common1 obs.

Tachycineta bicolor

Tree/Violet-Green Swallow

Common1 obs.

Bombus impatiens

Common Eastern Bumblebee

Occasional1 obs.

Bombycilla cedrorum

cedar waxwing

Occasional1 obs.

Ursus americanus

American Black Bear

Occasional1 obs.

Odocoileus virginianus

Key Deer

Occasional1 obs.

Castor canadensis

Canadian beaver

Occasional1 obs.

Vespula vidua

Widow Yellowjacket

Occasional1 obs.

Polioptila caerulea

Blue-Grey Gnatcatcher

Rare1 obs.

Polistes fuscatus

Dark Paper Wasp

Rare1 obs.

Diabrotica barberi

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 55 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.