St. Croix Wetland Management District facts for kids
The St. Croix Wetland Management District is a special natural area in west-central Wisconsin. It's located along the eastern edge of what's called the tallgrass prairie. This district is home to many different kinds of natural places, or habitats.
Imagine traveling through this eight-county district! You could go north from the tall river bluffs in Pepin County. Then you might see "prairie potholes" in St. Croix County. These are like small ponds or wetlands found in grasslands. Further north, you'd find "pine barrens" in Burnett County, which are sandy areas with scattered pine trees.
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What Counties Are Included?
The St. Croix Wetland Management District covers eight different counties in Wisconsin. These counties are:
The central part of St. Croix County is very important to the district. It's known as the Star Prairie Pothole Grasslands. These grasslands are considered one of the top priority areas for grasslands in all of Wisconsin.
Protecting Wetlands and Grasslands
The district helps manage smaller areas of prairie, wetland, and grassland habitats. These special spots are called waterfowl production areas (WPAs). Waterfowl are birds like ducks and geese.
How WPAs Are Funded
WPAs are bought using money from something called the Federal Duck Stamp. This is a special stamp that hunters of migratory birds must buy. The money from these stamps helps protect wetlands and wildlife. These areas are mainly found in the historic "prairie pothole" parts of the district. This includes southern Polk, St. Croix, and Dunn counties.
Restoring Nature's Home
After these lands are bought, the district works to restore them. This means bringing back the natural prairie, wetland, and grassland habitats. Once restored, these areas are managed to be good homes for:
- Birds that breed there, like ducks and geese.
- Other birds that migrate, meaning they travel long distances.
- Local wildlife that naturally lives in the area.
Who Manages the District?
The St. Croix Wetland Management District has 41 WPAs. Together, these areas cover about 7,500 acres (30 km2) of land. They are managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This is a government agency that protects wildlife and their habitats. The WPAs are part of the larger National Wildlife Refuge System.
Besides managing these public lands, the district also helps private landowners. If someone owns land and wants to help wildlife, the district staff can give them advice and support.
Challenges and Opportunities
The St. Croix Wetland Management District is located very close to the big cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. About two million people live in this area! This closeness to a large city creates both unique opportunities and challenges. It's a chance to teach many people about nature. But it also means there's a lot of pressure on the land. The district works hard to protect, restore, and manage these important prairie wetland habitats for everyone to enjoy.
