Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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 Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge
Location in the United States
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| Location | western Minnesota, northwestern Iowa, United States |
| Area | 5,000 acres (20 km2) |
| Established | 2000 |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge |
The Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge was created to protect a special type of grassland called tallgrass prairie. This refuge works with people and groups to save parts of this rare habitat in Minnesota and Iowa. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service helps by buying land or setting up agreements with landowners to protect these areas forever.
The refuge started in 2000. It is made up of many different pieces of land, called units. Some of these units are owned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Other units are protected through special agreements called conservation easements. This means the land is still privately owned, but it is protected from development.
Today, the refuge covers about 5,000 acres (20 km2). It has 49 separate units. Most of these units, about 2,500 acres, are protected by conservation easements. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service directly owns nearly 3,000 acres. This includes land in both Minnesota and Iowa.
The refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Different offices help look after the various units. The main person in charge works from the Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge.
Contents
What is Tallgrass Prairie?
Tallgrass prairie is a type of grassland ecosystem. It used to cover huge parts of central North America. This land is known for its very tall grasses. Some grasses can grow over 6 feet (1.8 meters) high!
These prairies are also home to many kinds of wildflowers. They support a wide variety of animals. This includes birds, insects, and other wildlife.
Why is the Refuge Important?
Most of the original tallgrass prairie has been lost. It was turned into farmland or developed for other uses. The Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge helps save the small parts that are left.
Protecting these areas is important for several reasons. It helps keep rare plants and animals safe. It also preserves a piece of natural history. This allows future generations to see what these amazing grasslands were like.
Exploring Touch the Sky Prairie
One special part of the refuge is called Touch the Sky Prairie. It was created in 2001. This unit is located in Rock County, Minnesota. It is not far from Blue Mounds State Park.
Touch the Sky Prairie covers about 1,000 acres. It has beautiful native prairie grasses and wildflowers. Many different bird species live here. There is also a small part of Beaver Creek. Visitors can walk a trail that is about 1 mile long. The trail goes through lovely wildflowers and past a small waterfall.
Discovering Prairie Smoke Unit
Another unit of the refuge is called Prairie Smoke. This unit is located in Kossuth County, Iowa. It is southeast of Algona, Iowa. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service bought this land in 2002.
The Prairie Smoke unit is a remnant prairie. This means it is a small piece of the original prairie that still exists. During hunting season, this unit is used by people who hunt waterfowl.
