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Lacreek
National Wildlife Refuge		 An adult trumpeter swan moves across a cattail-lined wetland with five cygnets.
29746 Bird Road
Martin, SD   57551
E-mail: lacreek@fws.gov
Phone Number:
Visit the Refuge's Web Site:
http://lacreek.fws.gov		 The trumpeter swan is a signature species of Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge.
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  Overview
Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge
Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) was established in 1935 as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife. The Refuge is located in Bennett County in southwestern South Dakota. The Refuge lies in the shallow Lake Creek valley on the northern edge of the Nebraska sandhills and includes 16,410 acres of native sandhills, sub-irrigated meadows, impounded fresh water marshes, and tallgrass and mixed-grass prairie uplands.


Getting There . . .
Lacreek NWR is located 12 miles southeast of Martin, South Dakota. From Martin, drive south on Highway 73 for about 4 miles. Turn left onto a gravel road and go east 1 mile, south for 1 mile, then east 7 miles to the Refuge headquarters. Directional signs are located along this route.

Get Google map and directions to this refuge/WMD from a specified address:

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These driving directions are provided as a general guide only. No representation is made or warranty given as to their content, road conditions or route usability or expeditiousness. User assumes all risk of use.

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Wildlife and Habitat
The Refuge includes 11 impoundments that provide nesting and migration habitat for Canada geese, ducks, water birds, and shorebirds.

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History
Lacreek NWR was established by Presidential Proclamation in 1935 primarily as nesting habitat for blue-winged teal.

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    Recreation and Education Opportunities
Environmental Education
Fishing
Hunting
Interpretation
Photography
Wildlife Observation
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Managment Activities

The Lacreek NWR staff uses a variety of management techniques to benefit wildlife. Grassland restoration and prescribed fire programs focus on eliminating non-native cool-season grasses and restoring and stimulating native grasses and forbs. Moist soil management techniques are used to enhance wetlands. Moist soil management is conducted by "de-watering" a wetland and then carefully timing the re-flooding; this stimulates the growth of critical plant and invertebrate food resources that provide food for migrating shorebirds and waterfowl.

The Refuge also has an aggressive integrated pest management program to control noxious weeds using a variety of techniques. Techniques include biological control agents, grazing, mowing, haying, and targeted herbicide applications.