The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service began the Small Wetlands Program in 1962. Since that time, some 125,000 acres of wildlife habitat have been preserved. They are scattered throughout western Minnesota in a 28 county area. The average size is 200 acres for approximately 700 WPA's, but areas range in size from 30 to 2,000 acres. WPA's represent a rich collection of wetlands, prairie, forest and other upland habitat combinations.
Most areas are open throughout the year for bird watching and other nature-oriented recreation.
The following list of 266 bird species has been developed based on existing records for western Minnesota, and upon the knowledge of local and visiting ornithologists. Birds of waterfowl protection areas, Minnesota. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Birds of waterfowl protection areas, Minnesota. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.