Big Stone
Odessa, MN 56276-2062
Plan Your Visit
Big Stone Wetland Management District offers the outdoor enthusiast an opportunity to escape from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with nature. If your passion is hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, interpretation, environmental education or photography, a visit to Big Stone Wetland Management District is for you.
The tallgrass prairie region is one of extremes. Temperatures can drop to well below -20° F in the winter months and rise to 90° F during the summer. Summertime also marks the season of fast-moving thunderstorms. Dress appropriately and bring extra clothing along with weather appropriate head protection. Keep an eye to the sky and check the weather forecast before your outing, as daily weather conditions can bring dramatic change! Insect repellent is also a good idea as warm weather brings mosquitoes and ticks.
Activities
More Activities
Get Involved
Whether you want to further conservation, learn more about nature or share your love of the outdoors, you’ve come to the right place. National wildlife refuges provide many opportunities for you to help your community by doing what you love.
We welcome volunteers interested in helping us with work on the district. Volunteer opportunities range from indoor tasks, like clerical assistance, environmental education and building maintenance, to outdoor jobs including biological surveys, field maintenance projects, invasive weed control and habitat management work.
Volunteer schedules are flexible, and the time commitment varies from hours to days to weeks. Volunteers come from many age groups and skill levels. Contact the district office at 320-273-2191 to learn more about volunteer opportunities.
Services
About
Established in 1996, Big Stone Wetland Management District includes 27 waterfowl production areas two units of the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge, encompassing more than 4,000 acres in Lincoln and Lyon counties. The district's goal is to restore and protect wetland and grassland habitat to meet the needs of prairie wildlife, particularly breeding waterfowl, while providing places for public recreation. Staff work collaboratively with private landowners through permanent conservation easements and restoration projects to preserve the Northern Tallgrass Prairie ecosystem.