2008 Federal Duck Stamp Contest St. Croix WMD |
St. Croix
Wetland Management District
The St. Croix Wetland Management District is one of two wetland districts managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Wisconsin. The District was established in 1974 and includes Barron, Burnett, Dunn, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, St. Croix and Washburn Counties. It manages 41 Waterfowl Production Areas totaling 7,700 acres and is also responsible for the management of 15 easements that protect wildlife habitat on private land.
The District emphasizes waterfowl production and ensures the preservation of habitat for migratory birds, threatened and endangered native species and resident wildlife.
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The landscape of the St. Croix Wetland Management District transitions from the bluffs of the Mississippi River to prairie potholes to northern forest. The prairie pothole portion of the District is dotted with thousands of small wetlands, created by glaciers. Prior to settlement, this area was a paradise for waterfowl, bobolinks, meadowlarks, upland sandpipers and other prairie wildlife. When the first European settlers arrived in west central Wisconsin, in what is now St. Croix and Polk Counties, they found over 200,000 acres of tallgrass prairie, wetlands and oak savanna. This complex of prairie, wetlands and oak savanna was very productive, both for wildlife and for farming.
While WPAs are managed primarily for ducks and geese, they also provide habitat for a variety of other wildlife species including non-game grassland birds, shorebirds, wading birds and resident wildlife.
Contacting the District
Project Leader: Tom Kerr
Phone: 715-246-7784
Fax: 715-246-4670
1-800-877-8339 (Federal Relay)
St. Croix Wetland Management District
1764 95th Street
New Richmond, Wisconsin 54017
The headquarters is located two miles west of New Richmond ½ mile south of Highway 64 on 95th street.
