Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton announced last Friday the designation of the refuge trails at Rydell National Wildlife Refuge near Erskine, Minn., as a National Recreation Trail National Recreation Trail
A National Recreation Trail is a land-based or water-based trail that provides an outdoor recreation opportunity on federal, state, tribal or local public land. National Recreation Trails were established by the National Trails System Act of 1968 (Public Law 90-543), which authorized creation of a national trails system composed of National Recreation Trails, National Scenic Trails and National Historic Trails. Whereas National Scenic Trails and National Historic Trails may be designated only by an act of Congress, National Recreation Trails may be designated by the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture to recognize exemplary trails of local and regional significance.
Learn more about National Recreation Trail .
The Rydell Refuge Trail, a seven-mile back country trail system, was among 37 new trails in 23 states to be designated National Recreation Trails by Secretary Norton. The trail showcases Sundew Bog and wildlife habitats that developed from the “fire shadow” effects of Maple Lake. This ecosystem represents a unique transitional zone between Prairie Parkland of the Red River Valley and the Eastern Broadleaf Forests. This handicapped-accessible trail system allows for year-round outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing.
“ These trails lead hikers through some of America’s most beautiful deserts, wetlands and prairies that make up our National Wildlife Refuge System and National Fish Hatcheries,” said Secretary Norton. “The National Recreation Trails designation will help more people discover the many recreational opportunities available on refuges and at hatcheries.”
“ A lot of credit for this designation goes to the Friends of Rydell NWR who have worked hard over the years to obtain grants and labor to develop the trails and make them a part of the quality outdoor experience here on the refuge,” said Rydell Refuge Manager Dave Bennett.
The Rydell Refuge Trail is now recognized as part of Americas national system of trails and joins more than 900 other trails nationwide. New designations are announced annually by the Secretary of the Interior as part of the nationwide celebration of National Trails Day, the first Saturday in June, and recognized at the biannual National Trails Symposium.
National Recreation Trails provide for numerous outdoor recreation activities in a variety of urban, rural and remote areas, ranging from less than a mile to 485 miles in length on federal, state, municipal, and privately owned lands. National Recreation Trails are designated in response to an application from the trails managing agency or organization by the Secretary of Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture, and recognize exemplary trails of local and regional significance.
More information about Rydell National Wildlife Refuge is available on the web at: http://www.americantrails.org/nationalrecreationtrails/.
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 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 545 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 63 Fish and Wildlife Management offices and 81 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 Assistance program, which distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.
