Polk County

35,756 acres (Glacial Ridge NWR)

Office
N47 42.924 , W96 16.010

Old Pembina Trail – 1¾ miles

Herman Ridge Road – 3.3 miles

Open by written permission only. Contact Glacial Ridge Project Office (218) 637-2146 for more information.

Province

Eastern Broadleaf Forest Province
Tallgrass Aspen Parklands

Section

Lake Agassiz, Aspen Parklands
Minnesota & NE Iowa Morainal

Subsection(s)

Aspen Parklands
Hardwood Hills

Land Type Association(s)

The Nature Conservancy

This is the largest prairie restoration project in the world.

The area is an important stopover point for migrating birds. As many as 20,000 Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis) stop here on their way to their nesting grounds in the spring, and again on their way south in the fall. A few nest in the area.

Several migratory species that use this area have been identified as “Resource Conservation Priorities” by the USF&WS. These are Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus), Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors), American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus), Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis), Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), Black Tern (Chlidonias niger), Upland Sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda), Sedge Wren (Cistothorus platensis), Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus), Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla), Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum), Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus), and Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus).

Other migratory birds that use the area include Wood Duck (Aix sponsa), American Widgeon (Anas acuta), Canada Goose (Branta canadensis), American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos), and various shorebirds.

Other resident birds include Greater Prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus cupido), Sharp-tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus), Le Conte’s Sparrow (Ammodramus leconteii), clay-colored sparrow (Spizella pallida), Vesper Sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus), Wilson’s Snipe (Gallinago delicata), Marbled Godwit (Limosa fedoa), and Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta). There is also one documented Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) nest on the site.

Two insect species with protected status in Minnesota are found here:

Threatened – Dakota skipper (Hesperia dacotae)

Special concern – regal fritillary (Speyeria idalia)

Resident mammals include whitetail deer (Odocoileus virginianus), white-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus townsendii), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), coyote (Canis latrans thamnos), long-tailed weasel (long-tailed weasel), ermine (Mustela erminea), striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), American mink (Neovison vison), Canadian beaver (Castor canadensis canadensis), and northern raccoon (Procyon lotor). While there are “Moose Crossing” signs in the area, the local and regional population of moose has declined in recent years.

One plant species with protected status in Minnesota is found here:

Endangered – western prairie fringed orchid (Platanthera praeclara)