There are many beautiful plants and birds in North Dakota. From the state bird - the meadowlark - to hundreds of grasses and brush plants that make up the prairie, it's a wonderful place for flora and fauna. If you'd like to explore a little corner of the state with some of the rarer plants and animals - some of which are seldom found elsewhere - you're in luck. There is a preserve within a state park that has all of this and more. Discover rare species in this nature preserve in North Dakota:

North Dakota's beautiful Icelandic State Park, located near Cavalier, has a wonderful secret hiding inside of it: the Gunlogson State Nature Preserve.

The preserve is within the boundaries of the park and was the first dedicated North Dakota nature preserve. It is made up of 200 acres of wildly varied terrain, from low wetlands to upland prairie.

Over a dozen rare plant species can be found in the Gunlogson State Nature Preserve. The forested areas are full of things like ferns and even the world's smallest flowering plant: watermeal. It'll almost make you feel like you're not in North Dakota.

Unusual looking yet fascinating fungi are also found here.

Some of these species can't be found anywhere else in the state, and others are seldom seen outside the park. Thanks to the varied type of land here, there is truly no other spot in ND that has this many plants and animals.

Speaking of animals, rare plants aren't the only thing you'll find at the preserve. Everywhere you look, you'll see hints of the animal species that call this place home, and the amount of birdsong you'll hear is astounding.

There is quite a variety of birds you can find here at Gunlogson State Nature Preserve. Everything from soaring bald eagles to rare pileated woodpeckers have been spotted here. Grouse, loons, warblers, finches, wild turkeys, and many others can also be commonly seen.

Plenty of mammals also call this place home. Deer, red squirrel, beavers - the list goes on. This preserve is one of very few places you can see all of them in one spot, and it's amazing to visit.

Have you ever visited the Gunlogson State Nature Preserve? You can check it out by visiting the Icelandic State Park in northeastern North Dakota. Click here to learn more about it and how to visit.

If you love photographing or seeing North Dakota's plants, animals, and beautiful natural places, then you must check out our North Dakota Nature Lovers Facebook group. Share your photos with other nature enthusiasts and discover new places in the state you may have never heard of. Here is a list of fantastic natural areas in ND for some new ideas of places to explore.