The Prairie Coteau Conservation Region captures the true feel of our prairie heritage perhaps better than any other part of Minnesota.  There are still wide-open spaces that have the wind-swept feel of the Great Plains further to the west.  Residents prize the rural landscape with a relatively low human population.  Many have long family ties to the land and have stayed because of a simpler, more-affordable lifestyle where outdoor recreation remains an important activity.  There is also a small-town feeling of belonging, where neighbors are valued..  Buffalo Ridge is a reminder of the region’s prairie history although it is now becoming better known for its potential as a major source of wind energy. Some extensive prairie wetlands such as Heron Lake were once legendary among duck hunters, and still support relatively large populations of waterfowl that are a visible part of the seasonal rhythm during Fall and Spring migration.