Fact Sheet

• Established: September 1961

• Counties in District: Eddy and Foster

• Waterfowl Production Areas: 28 units totaling 6,141 acres.

• Wetland Easements: 314 contracts protecting 19,046 acres.

• One Easement Refuge totaling 2,002 acres.

• FSA Ag Credit Easements: 4 contracts protecting 1,733 acres.

Natural History

• Landscape formed by glacial action.

• One physiographic region: Drift Prairie.

• Thousands of wetlands or "prairie potholes" created by glaciers.

• The Sheyenne and James River systems run through the drift prairie creating an important migration pathway and riparian zone.

• Mixed grass prairie region: transition area between the tall grass and short grass prairies.

• Prior to settlement, bison, antelope, wolves, prairie grouse, waterfowl and many other species of wetland or grassland dependent wildlife thrived.

• Landscape changes as a result of European immigrants reduced the number of wetlands and acres of native grassland.

• Remaining wealth of grasslands and wetlands continue to produce large numbers of waterfowl.

District Objectives

• Optimize waterfowl production.

• Preserve and protect native grasslands.

• Provide and maintain quality upland and wetland habitat capable of supporting healthy migratory bird populations.

• Assist private landowners with restoration of wildlife habitat.

• Provide opportunities for quality wildlife dependent recreation.

• Provide opportunities for environmental education.

Management Tools

• Grassland restoration using grazing, haying, fire, rest, and cultivation/re-seeding.

• Noxious weed control using mowing/haying, grazing, biological control agents and herbicides.

• Water level management of impoundments to provide optimum levels for nesting and migrating waterfowl as well as other grassland songbird species.

• Acquisition of new Waterfowl Production Areas, Grassland and Wetland Easements.

• Private landowner agreements through the Partners For Fish and Wildlife Program.

• GIS/GPS hardware and software used intensively in management programs.

• Law enforcement of public use activities, migratory bird hunting and Easements contracts.

• Intensive surveillance and management of Avian Botulism and other wildlife disease problems.

Public Use Opportunities

• Waterfowl, upland game bird and deer hunting.

• Fishing, including wintertime fishing for perch, northern pike and some walleye.

• Recreation oriented trapping.

• Wildlife observation and photography.

• Environmental education.

• Volunteer opportunities.

Financial Impact to Local Communities

• Bring visitors for the Hunting and Birding opportunities.

• Cooperative haying and grazing agreements with landowners.

---

Who We Are | Wildlife & Habitat | District Programs | Public Use
Maps | Arrowwood NWR Complex | Links | Site Map | Home

---

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service