Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge was officially established May 21, 1975
when 10,540 acres of land purchased by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers were
transferred to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. These lands were originally
acquired as part of the Big Stone Lake‐Whetstone River Project, which was
authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1965. The purposes of the project were:
to reduce sedimentation in Big Stone Lake by redirecting the Whetstone River
into the Minnesota River, to provide flood control for lands downstream and to
provide habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife. Today, the refuge
includes 11,586 acres, because of subsequent land acquisition from willing
sellers. Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge is located in two Minnesota
counties, Big Stone and Lac qui Parle.

Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge was officially established May 21, 1975 when 10,540 acres of land purchased by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers were transferred to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. These lands were originally acquired as part of the Big Stone Lake‐Whetstone River Project, which was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1965. The purposes of the project were: to reduce sedimentation in Big Stone Lake by redirecting the Whetstone River into the Minnesota River, to provide flood control for lands downstream and to provide habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife. Today, the refuge includes 11,586 acres, because of subsequent land acquisition from willing sellers. Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge is located in two Minnesota counties, Big Stone and Lac qui Parle.

Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge

Big Stone Wetland Management District was established in 1996 and includes 23
waterfowl production areas. These small parcels of wetlands and grasslands are
scattered throughout a two-county area and encompass more than 4,000 total
acres. Like other wetland management districts in the prairie states, the goal
of the Big Stone Wetland Management District is to restore and protect enough
wetland and grassland habitat to meet the needs of prairie wildlife,
particularly breeding waterfowl, as well as to provide places for public
recreation.  
  
Waterfowl production areas were created by an amendment to the Federal Duck
Stamp Act in 1958. Scientists realized that these small pockets of habitat
were vital to breeding waterfowl. This amendment gave the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service permission to purchase small wetlands. Your purchase of a
Federal Duck Stamp provides funds to acquire, oversee and manage waterfowl
production areas and easements.  
  
Big Stone Wetland Management District covers Lincoln and Lyon counties in
western Minnesota. The district purchases land from willing sellers, our staff
manage these scattered waterfowl production areas, working collaboratively
with private landowners who are interested in improving their land for
wildlife. Our staff also protect land through the purchase of permanent
conservation easements from willing landowners to protect wetlands and
grasslands on private property throughout the district.

Big Stone Wetland Management District was established in 1996 and includes 23 waterfowl production areas. These small parcels of wetlands and grasslands are scattered throughout a two-county area and encompass more than 4,000 total acres. Like other wetland management districts in the prairie states, the goal of the Big Stone Wetland Management District is to restore and protect enough wetland and grassland habitat to meet the needs of prairie wildlife, particularly breeding waterfowl, as well as to provide places for public recreation. 
 
Waterfowl production areas were created by an amendment to the Federal Duck Stamp Act in 1958. Scientists realized that these small pockets of habitat were vital to breeding waterfowl. This amendment gave the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service permission to purchase small wetlands. Your purchase of a Federal Duck Stamp provides funds to acquire, oversee and manage waterfowl production areas and easements. 
 
Big Stone Wetland Management District covers Lincoln and Lyon counties in western Minnesota. The district purchases land from willing sellers, our staff manage these scattered waterfowl production areas, working collaboratively with private landowners who are interested in improving their land for wildlife. Our staff also protect land through the purchase of permanent conservation easements from willing landowners to protect wetlands and grasslands on private property throughout the district.

Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge

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Big Stone Wetland Management District