Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge was established as a refuge and breeding
ground for migratory birds and other wildlife. The abundance of lakes, rivers
and marshes along with the diverse landscape of dense forest to open meadows
attracts a plethora of wildlife.

Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge was established as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife. The abundance of lakes, rivers and marshes along with the diverse landscape of dense forest to open meadows attracts a plethora of wildlife.

Bird's eye view of the park

Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge

Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District was established in 1962 as part of
the Fergus Falls Wetland Management District, with the advent of the
Accelerated Small Wetlands Acquisition Program. After various iterations, the
district was restructured and renamed in 1975 as the name we know today. The
district manages hundreds of federally owned waterfowl productions areas in
Becker, Clay, Mahnomen, Norman and Polk Counties in northwest Minnesota. The
district is divided into three general landscape areas: the Red River Valley
floodplain, the glacial moraine/prairie pothole region and the
hardwood/coniferous forest. Land acquisition and management efforts are
focused in the prairie pothole region of the district, with a goal of
providing habitat for nesting waterfowl. About 3,200 acres of remnant
tallgrass prairie have been saved, while thousands of acres of prairie pothole
wetlands and tallgrass prairie vegetation have been restored. These habitats
are not only critical for waterfowl but are beneficial to other wildlife
species as well.

Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District was established in 1962 as part of the Fergus Falls Wetland Management District, with the advent of the Accelerated Small Wetlands Acquisition Program. After various iterations, the district was restructured and renamed in 1975 as the name we know today. The district manages hundreds of federally owned waterfowl productions areas in Becker, Clay, Mahnomen, Norman and Polk Counties in northwest Minnesota. The district is divided into three general landscape areas: the Red River Valley floodplain, the glacial moraine/prairie pothole region and the hardwood/coniferous forest. Land acquisition and management efforts are focused in the prairie pothole region of the district, with a goal of providing habitat for nesting waterfowl. About 3,200 acres of remnant tallgrass prairie have been saved, while thousands of acres of prairie pothole wetlands and tallgrass prairie vegetation have been restored. These habitats are not only critical for waterfowl but are beneficial to other wildlife species as well.

Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District

Eastern forest dramatically gives way to the western prairie at Hamden Slough
National Wildlife Refuge which was established in 1989. Prior to European
settlement, this area teemed with waterfowl, upland birds, bison, wolves and
other prairie wildlife. Currently, the refuge is 3,200 acres of prairie-
wetland habitat that provides resting and nesting cover for more than 200
species of migratory and game birds, including the charismatic greater prairie
chicken. Habitat restoration over the past two decades has resulted in
dramatic increases in waterfowl, shorebird and grassland bird numbers, while
active management keeps these habitats thriving. Birding is the most popular
activity of visitors to the refuge however, other wildlife-dependent
recreation is also offered. The refuge has been named an Important Bird Area
by the Minnesota Audubon Society.

Eastern forest dramatically gives way to the western prairie at Hamden Slough National Wildlife Refuge which was established in 1989. Prior to European settlement, this area teemed with waterfowl, upland birds, bison, wolves and other prairie wildlife. Currently, the refuge is 3,200 acres of prairie-wetland habitat that provides resting and nesting cover for more than 200 species of migratory and game birds, including the charismatic greater prairie chicken. Habitat restoration over the past two decades has resulted in dramatic increases in waterfowl, shorebird and grassland bird numbers, while active management keeps these habitats thriving. Birding is the most popular activity of visitors to the refuge however, other wildlife-dependent recreation is also offered. The refuge has been named an Important Bird Area by the Minnesota Audubon Society.

Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge

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Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District

Hamden Slough National Wildlife Refuge