Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge
Encyclopedia
Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge was created on October 12, 2004, the 545th National Wildlife Refuge
in the United States
. Its creation was the result of cooperation between at least 30 agencies or governmental entities. The creation of the refuge was spearheaded by The Nature Conservancy
, and the initial endowment of 2300 acres (9.3 km²) of land was donated by the Conservancy. In light of its planned final size of 37756 acres (153 km²), it is described by the US Fish and Wildlife Service as "the largest tallgrass prairie
and wetland restoration project in U.S. history."
, or about twelve miles (19 km) east of Crookston, Minnesota
.
grasses. In addition, more than 100 wetlands have been restored. The restoration of native tallgrass prairie
is ongoing, and will require years of effort.
When restored, Glacial Ridge will likely provide habitat for several of the same species present at Pembina Trail Preserve, which harbors more than 73 bird species, 35 butterfly species, 11 mammal species, three amphibian species and one reptile species. Birds like the sandhill crane, sharp tailed grouse, upland sandpiper, northern harrier, marbled godwit, Wilson's phalarope, sora rail, marsh wren, and clay colored sparrow may soon find their habitat expanded at Glacial Ridge. In recent years, bald eagles, a peregrine falcon and a whooping crane have also been spotted. In 2007, a nesting pair of burrowing owls and their two owlets were sighted on a restored prairie.
Whitetail deer, moose, and prairie grouse such are present within the NWR. It has also become a major nesting and breeding area for waterfowl. The return of the greater prairie chicken
is one of the goals of the refuge. Hunting is permitted within the boundaries of the refuge.
National Wildlife Refuge
National Wildlife Refuge is a designation for certain protected areas of the United States managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The National Wildlife Refuge System is the world's premiere system of public lands and waters set aside to conserve America's fish, wildlife and plants...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Its creation was the result of cooperation between at least 30 agencies or governmental entities. The creation of the refuge was spearheaded by The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy is a US charitable environmental organization that works to preserve the plants, animals, and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive....
, and the initial endowment of 2300 acres (9.3 km²) of land was donated by the Conservancy. In light of its planned final size of 37756 acres (153 km²), it is described by the US Fish and Wildlife Service as "the largest tallgrass prairie
Tallgrass prairie
The tallgrass prairie is an ecosystem native to central North America, with fire as its primary periodic disturbance. In the past, tallgrass prairies covered a large portion of the American Midwest, just east of the Great Plains, and portions of the Canadian Prairies. They flourished in areas with...
and wetland restoration project in U.S. history."
Location
The Glacial Ridge NWR is located six miles (10 km) west of Mentor, MinnesotaMentor, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 150 people, 82 households, and 45 families residing in the city. The population density was 79.3 people per square mile . There were 102 housing units at an average density of 53.9 per square mile...
, or about twelve miles (19 km) east of Crookston, Minnesota
Crookston, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 8,192 people, 3,078 households, and 1,819 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,658.8 people per square mile . There were 3,382 housing units at an average density of 684.8 per square mile...
.
Description
From its original area of 2300 acres (9 km²), the refuge is slated to grow to at least 37756 acres (153 km²). Of this planned area 5000 acres (20 km²) previously existed in an unplowed state, and a further 8000 acres (32 km²) has been seeded with native prairiePrairie
Prairies are considered part of the temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands biome by ecologists, based on similar temperate climates, moderate rainfall, and grasses, herbs, and shrubs, rather than trees, as the dominant vegetation type...
grasses. In addition, more than 100 wetlands have been restored. The restoration of native tallgrass prairie
Tallgrass prairie
The tallgrass prairie is an ecosystem native to central North America, with fire as its primary periodic disturbance. In the past, tallgrass prairies covered a large portion of the American Midwest, just east of the Great Plains, and portions of the Canadian Prairies. They flourished in areas with...
is ongoing, and will require years of effort.
Purpose
According to the webpage maintained on behalf of the refuge, the following five items are the main objectives of the refuge:- Strive to maintain diversity and increase abundance of waterfowl and other migratory bird species dependent of prairie wetland and grassland habitats
- Conserve, manage, and restore the diversity and viability of native fish, wildlife and plant populations associated with tallgrass prairie and prairie wetlands
- Work in partnership with others to restore or enhance native tallgrass prairie, prairie wetlands and unique plant communities
- Restore, enhance, and protect water quality and quantity that approach natural hydrologic functions
- 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
Wildlife
This prairie wetland complex hosts a great diversity of plant species. Of special interest is the federally threatened western prairie fringed orchid. Other communities found at the preserve include wet and mesic tallgrass prairie and gravel prairie, willow thickets, mixed prairie, sedge meadow, aspen woodlands and emergent marsh. Prairie species at Pembina Trail Preserve include June grass, purple prairie clover, big and little bluestem and mat muhly.When restored, Glacial Ridge will likely provide habitat for several of the same species present at Pembina Trail Preserve, which harbors more than 73 bird species, 35 butterfly species, 11 mammal species, three amphibian species and one reptile species. Birds like the sandhill crane, sharp tailed grouse, upland sandpiper, northern harrier, marbled godwit, Wilson's phalarope, sora rail, marsh wren, and clay colored sparrow may soon find their habitat expanded at Glacial Ridge. In recent years, bald eagles, a peregrine falcon and a whooping crane have also been spotted. In 2007, a nesting pair of burrowing owls and their two owlets were sighted on a restored prairie.
Whitetail deer, moose, and prairie grouse such are present within the NWR. It has also become a major nesting and breeding area for waterfowl. The return of the greater prairie chicken
Greater Prairie Chicken
The Greater Prairie Chicken or Pinnated Grouse, Tympanuchus cupido, is a large bird in the grouse family. This North American species was once abundant, but has become extremely rare or extinct over much of its range due to habitat loss. There are current efforts to help this species gain the...
is one of the goals of the refuge. Hunting is permitted within the boundaries of the refuge.