Fact Sheet

Station Facts

• Established: July 1971

• Counties in District: Barnes, Cass, Griggs, Steele, and Traill.

• Waterfowl Production Areas: 82 units totaling 16,898 acres.

• Wetland Easements: 742 contracts protecting 40,980 acres.

• Four Easement Refuges totaling 5,502 acres.

• FSA Ag Credit Easements: 20 contracts protecting 12,620 acres.

Natural History

• Landscape formed by glacial action.

• Two physiographic regions: Red River Valley and Drift Prairie.

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

• The Sheyenne River system runs southward through the drift prairie creating an important migration pathway and riparian zone.

• Transition area between the tall grass and mixed 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, and cultivation/re-seeding.

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

• Water level management of impoundments.

• 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 easement contracts.

• Intensive surveillance and management of avian botulism and other wildlife diseases.

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

• Visitors annually.

• Cooperative haying and grazing agreements with landowners.

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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service