Hamden Slough
National Wildlife Refuge

Contacting the Refuge:

Refuge Manager:
Scott Kahan

e-mail: DetroitLakes@fws.gov or MidwestNews@fws.gov

26624 North Tower Road
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501-7959
Phone: 218-847-4431
Fax: 218-847-4156
TTY: 1-800-877-8339 (Federal Relay)

The refuge is located one mile northeast of Audubon, Minnesota on 210th Street. The refuge is managed by the Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District office which is located 2 miles north of Detroit Lakes, MN, via Hwy 59, then 1-1/2 miles east on CR131/North Tower Road.

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Refuge Facts

• Established: 1989

• Acres:currently 3,170

• Authorized 5,944 acres

• The refuge is the culmination of a 50-year effort to protect and restore the area

Financial Impact of Refuge

• 5,400 visitors annually

• FY 2006 Budget: $245,000

Natural History

• Refuge consists of rolling hills, grassland and small wetlands

• Located in a transitional zone between flat tallgrass prairies and rolling hardwoods

• Restoration efforts have attracted a very high concentration of waterfowl and shorebirds

Refuge Objectives

• Provide resting, nesting and feeding habitat for waterfowl and other migratory birds

• Provide habitat for resident wildlife

• Restore prairie wetland ecosystem of native grass and wetlands

• Serve as educational model for land and water stewardship

• Provide public opportunities for outdoor recreation and environmental education

Highlight

The refuge was designated an Important Bird Area by the Minnesota Audubon Society.

Priorities

• Manage grassland and wetland habitats to maximize use by migratory birds and other wildlife

• Improve wildlife viewing opportunities and provide public education

• Acquire and restore prairie wetland habitats within the approved refuge boundary

Public Use Opportunities

• Hiking

• Environmental education

• Wildlife observation