Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1992 to preserve a large, natural wetland complex. The refuge is located in central Minnesota and serves as an important stop for many species of migrating birds.

A wide variety of wildlife may be seen or heard as they use the sedge meadows, shallow lakes and other wetland habitats in the area. Restored tallgrass prairie and oak savanna habitats host a wealth of songbirds as well an array of wildflowers. Portions of the refuge are open to visitors during daylight hours.

The Refuge is located within a large watershed that includes Rice and Skunk Lakes, Platte and Skunk Rivers, Rice and Buckman Creeks, and many sedge meadow wetlands. This area harbors one of the largest nesting populations of greater sandhill cranes in Minnesota. Habitats include native and restored tallgrass prairie and oak savanna and a variety of wetlands. With a total authorized acquisition boundary of 13,540 acres encompassing this important wetland complex and adjacent uplands, Crane Meadows NWR presently exists as scattered parcels totaling about 2,000 acres in government ownership interspersed with private land ( click here to see a refuge map). Land acquisition for the refuge is continuing as funding is available and people are willing to sell. For more information about selling property to the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service for addition to Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, contact the Crane Meadows NWR Manager at 320.632.1575 or send an email to cranemeadows@fws.gov or contact the Sherburne/Crane Meadows NWR Complex Manager at 763.389.3323 or send and email to sherburne@fws.gov.

For more information on the Land Acquisition Process see the PDF attachment by clicking here.

The refuge also serves as the base for the federal Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program in Morrison County, which focuses on restoring drained wetlands and uplands through voluntary agreements with landowners.

For more information on restoring wetlands or uplands on your property contact Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge at 320.632.1575 or send an email to cranemeadows@fws.gov.

For more information on the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program see the PDF attachment by clicking here.