About the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center
The Prairie Wetlands Learning Center sits on the Townsend Waterfowl Production Area, a 330 acre tract just outside Fergus Falls, Minnesota. The site includes both native unbroken and restored prairie, over twenty wetlands and an oak savannah.
Over 180 species of birds have been identified at the Center, as well as a wide variety of native prairie grasses and forbs.
In the mid-seventies, a local, grass roots effort to establish a public use facility focusing on prairies and wetlands began to explore what opportunities may be available with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This group of conservationists formed the Friends of the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center in 1989. Local donations and successful lobbying led to the eventual funding of the Center in 1994.
Environmental education programs have been conducted at the Center since 1994. In 1998 the Visitor Center and Dormitory opened, and since have hosted such diverse groups as Minnesota Department of Natural Resource Conservation Officers, Girl Scouts, school groups and international agriculture students.
Environmental education and interpretation efforts focus on the prairie pothole region, with programs available for all ages, year round.
The mission of the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center is to provide environmental education opportunities for students, private landowners and the general public, and to foster stewardship by demonstrating the methods for protection, enhancement and restoration of the prairie pothole ecosystem.
The Visitor Center houses a 2500 square foot exhibit area, the Bluestem Store, classrooms and a multi-purpose meeting room and dining hall. The Center provides both day and residential environmental education and interpretation of the prairie pothole region for learners of all ages.
Hours:
The trails and grounds are open dawn to dusk daily, year round.
The Visitor Center hours are:
Monday through Friday: 8 am to 4 pm
Saturday and Sunday: closed.
