Land Acquisition
Grassland Management
Prescribed Fire
Private Lands Program
Wetland ManagementWaterfowl Production Areas
WPA Regulations
Sample Our District
PWLC and Environmental Education
Coming: New FacilitiesHow To Find District Facilities
Financial Impact of District
News Releases
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact UsFergus Falls WMD
18965 County Highway 82
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
Phone: 218-739-2291Contacting the Office:
District Manager: Kevin Brennan
e-mail: kevin_brennan@fws.gov18965 County Highway 82
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
Phone: 218-739-2291
Fax: 218-739-9534
TTY: 1-800-877-8339 (Federal Relay)
District Facts
Established: 1962
Waterfowl Production Areas: 215 units totaling 43,962 acres
Wetland easements: 1,142 totaling 23,935 acres
Grassland easements: 8 totaling 797 acres
FmHA easements: 30 totaling 2,567 acres
District also manages a 243-acre tract of the Northern Tallgrass Prairie NWR
Counties in district: Otter Tail, Grant, Douglas, Wilkins and Wadena
Financial Impact
50,000 visitors annually
FY 2006 Budget: $2.5 million
Staff: 19 permanent; 11 temporary
Natural History
Landscape dotted with thousands of small wetlands or “prairie potholes,” created by glaciers
Prior to settlement, this area was a paradise for waterfowl, prairie chickens, whooping cranes, bison, wolves and other prairie wildlife
Agriculture changes to the landscape included the loss of most native prairie and the drainage of over 80 percent of the small wetlands
The area remains a critical waterfowl production and migration area - the highest nesting density in Minnesota was recorded here (3.5 nests per acre)
District Objectives
Acquire, develop and manage habitat for waterfowl production
Provide habitat for native plants and animals, especially prairie songbirds
Assist private landowners with restoration of wetlands and grasslands
Provide wildlife-dependent recreation and education
Priorities
Restoring and rehabilitating prairie wetland complexes to enhance waterfowl production and migration habitat
Expanding the prairie science class at the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center
Public Use Opportunities
Trapping and hunting
Wildlife observation
Environmental education
Prairie Wetlands Learning Center
Built through a cooperative effort between the city of Fergus Falls, the state of Minnesota and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Promotes wetland and prairie stewardship
Provides day and residential environmental education programs for students

