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# Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge

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                -  Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge
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### About Us

Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge was established in 2000 to address the loss of America’s grasslands and the decline of grassland wildlife. Scientists estimate the original tallgrass prairie in Minnesota and Iowa covered about 25 million acres. Now, there are only about 300,000 acres left in the two states. The refuge was created to work with individuals, groups and government agencies to permanently preserve and restore some of the northern tallgrass prairie. Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge encompasses all or part of 85 counties in western Minnesota and northwestern Iowa. The long-term goal for the refuge is to protect 77,000 acres through conservation easements and government ownership. Easements and purchased lands are managed or overseen by the refuge or wetland management district **wetland management district**** A wetland management district is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service office that manages waterfowl production areas in one or more counties. Waterfowl production areas are small natural wetlands and grasslands that provide breeding, resting and nesting habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds, grassland birds and other wildlife. The Fish and Wildlife Service acquires waterfowl production areas under the authority of the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act, primarily using funds from the sale of Federal Duck Stamps. The Refuge System’s 38 wetland management districts comprise thousands of waterfowl production areas – almost all in the Prairie Pothole Region of the Northern Great Plains.  Learn more about wetland management district  office covering the area where the lands are located.

### Our Mission

The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System is to administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management and, where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.

The primary purpose of Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge is to preserve and enhance the remaining remnant tracts of northern tallgrass prairie and aspen parklands habitats within Iowa and Minnesota.

### Our History

2000 - Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge was established to address the loss of America’s grasslands and the decline of grassland wildlife.

### Other Facilities in this Complex

Welcome to your national wildlife refuge **national wildlife refuge**** A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service  for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.  Learn more about national wildlife refuge . Discover new places to hunt, fish, take pictures, watch wildlife and hike. Enjoy spending time outdoors alone or with friends and family. Please consult the managing offices posted below if you have questions. We may post additional site-specific regulations.

#### Minnesota

                          - Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge for units located in Kittson County, 218-449-4115
                          - Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge for units located in Lincoln and Lyon Counties, 320-273-2191
                          - Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District for units located in Becker, Clay, Mahnomen, Norman and Polk Counties, 218-847-4431
                          - Fergus Falls Wetland Management District for units located in Grant, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Wadena, and Wilkin Counties, 218-739-2291
                          - Litchfield Wetland Management District for units located in Kandiyohi, McLeod, Meeker, Renville, Stearns, Todd and Wright Counties, 320-693-2849
                          - Morris Wetland Management District for units located in Big Stone, Chippewa, Lac Qui Parle, Pope, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, and Yellow Medicine Counties, 320-589-1001
                          - Windom Wetland Management District for units located in Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Freeborn, Jackson, Martin, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock, and Watonwan Counties, 507-831-2220

#### Iowa

                          - Iowa Wetland Management District for units located in all other Iowa counties, 515-928-2523
                          - Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge for units located in Jasper County, 515-994-3400

Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge

Middle River,MN

Morris Wetland Management District

Morris,MN

Fergus Falls Wetland Management District

Fergus Falls,MN

Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District

Detroit Lakes,MN

Windom Wetland Management District

Windom,MN

Litchfield Wetland Management District

Litchfield,MN

Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge

Odessa,MN

Iowa Wetland Management District

Titonka,IA

Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge

Prairie City,IA

Working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.

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