"Its taken nearly three years to identify the remaining tracts of unbroken tallgrass prairie in western Minnesota and Iowa and to secure funding for easements and acquisition," said Cole. "But thats nothing compared to the centuries it took to create this prairie. Thousands of years of wind, rain, sun and fire produced this prairie -- Im just glad I had a part in saving a representative sample of it for future generations."
Less than one percent of the northern tallgrass prairie, which once blanketed the upper Midwest, remains. Coles ultimate goal is to protect up to 77,000 acres of native tallgrass prairie in Minnesota and Iowa, half through voluntary protective easements and half through outright purchase from willing sellers. The first step begins Aug. 6, when Cole will purchase an easement on a 40-acre tract of prairie near Litchfield, Minn. On Aug. 10, hell purchase a 350-acre tract near Luverne, and the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge will become a reality.
"Were going to celebrate," Cole said. "Weve worked with our local Friends of Prairie group to arrange a week-long public tour of native prairie, prairie plantings, bison, birds, the whole works." Included in the tour will be dedication events for the first refuge easement and acquisition, prairie seed collecting, guided birding tours and a special gallery tour and presentation by nationally-renowned photographer Jim Brandenburg. All transportation, meals and lodging will be provided.
Tour participants will depart from the Minnesota Valley NWR, in Bloomington, Minn., on Monday, Aug. 6, then travel to Fergus Falls, Detroit Lakes, Morris, Ortonville, and Luverne before returning to the Twin Cities on Saturday, Aug. 11. Cost for the tour is $350 per person. Travel will be by motor coach.
"It should be a great time to be on the prairie," Cole said, "Many of the grasses and flowering plants will be in full bloom." Cole also notes the National Wildlife Refuge System will be celebrating its centennial anniversary in 2003 and sees the establishment of the Northern Tallgrass Prairie refuge as a timely, and fitting, gesture.
"A hundred years ago, the prairie took care of us; this rich soil has fed generations of Americans." he said "Now its time for us to take care of the prairie, at least a small part of whats left."
Space is limited on the prairie bus tour, registration is due July 20. For more information or registration, call 320/273-2191 or e-mail Carole Gerber at: carole_gerber@fws.gov">
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 94-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses more than 535 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 70 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.
For further information about programs and activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Great Lakes-Big Rivers Region, please visit our website at http://midwest.fws.gov
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service | | | | | | |
