| Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge | |
|---|---|
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area) | |
 | |
  Map of the United States | |
| Location | Polk County, Minnesota, United States |
| Nearest city | Mentor, Minnesota |
| Coordinates | 47°42′00″N 96°21′00″W / 47.70000°N 96.35000°W |
| Area | 37,756 acres (152.79 km2) (Planned) |
| Established | October 12, 2004 |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge |
Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge was created on October 12, 2004, the 545th National Wildlife Refuge in the United States. Its creation was the result of cooperation between at least 30 agencies or governmental entities.[1] The creation of the refuge was spearheaded by The Nature Conservancy, and the initial endowment of 2,300 acres (9.3 km2) of land was donated by the Conservancy. In light of its planned final size of 37,756 acres (153 km2), it is described by the US Fish and Wildlife Service as "the largest tallgrass prairie and wetland restoration project in U.S. history."[1]
Prior to being acquired by The Nature Conservancy in 2000, the majority of Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge was used for marginal farming. More than 20,000 acres that comprise the central region of Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge were restored by the Conservancy with the aid of land stewards, collaborators, volunteers, and money from USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service. This was the biggest prairie-wetland restoration project in American history at the time.[2]
Restorations of wetlands and prairies have reduced overland runoff and ditch flow during storms, improved water quality, and significantly altered the hydrologic cycle's flow rates. Between 2002 and 2015, there was a 14% decline in cropland, a 6% rise in wetlands, and a 19% increase in natural prairie as a result of wetland and prairie restorations.[3]
- ^ a b NWRS – Glacial Ridge NWR
- ^ "Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge | About Us | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service". www.fws.gov. Retrieved 2024-01-25.
- ^ Cowdery, Timothy K.; Christenson, Catherine A.; Ziegeweid, Jeffrey R. (2019). The hydrologic benefits of wetland and prairie restoration in western Minnesota—Lessons learned at the Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge, 2002–15 (Report). U.S. Geological Survey.