Glacial Ridge
National Wildlife Refuge
Contacting the
Refuge:
Refuge Manager: Dave
Bennett
e-mail: Dave_Bennett@fws.gov or MidwestNews@fws.gov
17788 349th St. SE
Erskine, MN 56535
Phone: 218-687-2229
Fax: 218-687-2225
TTY: 1-800-877-8339 (Federal Relay)
The
refuge is located 6 miles west of Mentor, Minnesota
Refuge Facts
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Established
Oct. 12, 2004
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Acres: 2,790
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Authorized
37,756 acres
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Twenty-six cooperating agencies, led by The Nature Conservancy and Polk County Commissioners, provided the catalyst for this prairie restoration project, culminating in the establishment of the 545th National Wildlife Refuge
Financial
Impact of Refuge
Currently
managed with the six-person staff of Rydell NWR
Natural History
-
Beach ridges
formed from Glacial Lake Agassiz, vegetated with true tallgrass prairie is
the heart and soul of the refuge. The ultimate restoration of 8,000 acres
of wetlands and 15,000 acres of prairie will complement the existing 5,000 acres of untilled native prairie.
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The return
of the greater prairie chicken will be the star of success
Refuge Objectives
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Strive to
maintain diversity and increase abundance of waterfowl and other migratory bird species dependent of prairie wetland and grassland habitats
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Conserve,
manage, and restore the diversity and viability of native fish, wildlife and plant populations associated with tallgrass prairie and prairie wetlands
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Work in partnership
with others to restore or enhance native tallgrass prairie, prairie wetlands and unique plant communities
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Restore,
enhance, and protect water quality and quantity that approach natural hydrologic functions
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Provide for
compatible wildlife-dependent recreational uses by the public, emphasizing increased understanding of the northern tallgrass prairie ecosystem and the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System
Public Use
Opportunities
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Wildlife observation
and photography highlighted by greater prairie chicken, and migrating waterfowl and sandhill cranes
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Prairie Chicken viewing blinds, managed in cooperation with the Crookston Chamber of Commerce
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Annual Prairie Appreciation Day event
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Environmental
education and interpretation
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Hunting plan approved in 2004
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Special prairie chicken hunt for people with disabilities initiated in 2008
Future Public
Use Opportunities
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Walking, biking
and cross country ski trails
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Prairie interpretive trail and kiosk
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Interpretation
of historic Pembina Oxcart Trail
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Observation
Platforms
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Buffalo observation area
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Interpretive
center
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Deer, migratory
bird and upland game hunts for youth and persons with disabilities
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