About Us
Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1935 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to protect migratory birds and provide habitat for native wildlife. The refuge extends along the Des Lacs River from the Canadian border to a point eight miles south of Kenmare, North Dakota.
For many centuries, this valley served as a travel corridor and hunting area for the Assiniboine, Sioux, Mandan, Hidatsa, Plains Ojibwa, and Atsina peoples. Historical accounts indicate that the southern Assiniboine were the last Native residents of the area; their descendants now live in Canada.
Today, a combination of natural lakes and managed wetlands supports migrating and nesting waterfowl and marsh birds.
Our Mission
Each refuge within the National Wildlife Refuge System is established to meet a specific conservation purpose. All uses of refuge lands and waters are evaluated to ensure they support that purpose and do not conflict with wildlife conservation.
The Souris River basin plays an important role in the cultural and natural heritage of the northern plains. As one of three national wildlife refuges in the basin, Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge works to conserve native habitats and sustain healthy populations of migratory birds, waterfowl, and other wildlife characteristic of this landscape.
The refuge provides opportunities for people to experience the natural and cultural heritage of the northern Great Plains through wildlife‑dependent recreation and education. Strong partnerships with communities, landowners, and conservation organizations help support shared goals across the region.
A dedicated refuge workforce uses science‑based management to understand, restore, and emulate natural processes vital to the health of the ecosystems entrusted to our care.
Our History
The Des Lacs Valley was shaped thousands of years ago by meltwater flowing from glacial Lake Regina. Long before settlement, the valley supported bison, beaver, muskrat, mink, and other furbearers that later attracted French trappers. Numerous archaeological sites—ranging from tipi rings to turtle effigies and rock‑lined fire pits—show that Native American communities used this valley for both permanent and temporary camps.
Because the valley is broad and flat, the Des Lacs River spread into a chain of marshes and lakes, inspiring French traders to name it Rivière des Lacs, or “River of the Lakes.” Settlement expanded in the late 1800s: ranchers claimed land for grazing in 1864, a lignite mine opened near Burlington in 1880, and the Soo Line Railroad was built in 1893, improving access to the area. By 1905, nearly every quarter‑section of land in north‑central North Dakota had been claimed.
Intensive farming, ranching, and coal mining transformed the landscape and contributed to declines in some wildlife populations. Severe drought during the Dust Bowl era further reduced waterfowl numbers to record lows. In response, President Franklin D. Roosevelt established Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge in 1935—one of many refuges created during that period to protect migratory birds and restore wildlife habitat.