03/17/2026
Did you know - Polk County has 49 Minnesota DNR Wildlife Refuges (about 29,000 acres) and two National Wildlife Refuges, Glacial Ridge (37,000 acres) and Rydell (2,200 acres)? In addition, there are an uncounted number of National Waterfowl Production areas and Wetland Management Areas, wetlands protected for waterfowl breeding.
Wildlife refuges preserve habitat for - wildlife. The preservation of forest, wetlands, and breeding habitats for big and small game, waterfowl, and birds is essential. Specific regulations allow hunting, and nature lovers can walk through for the natural environment.
The Nature Conservancy, funded by the Minnesota Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment Outdoor Heritage Fund seeks to restore and preserve many of the State lands, some of which are in ownership by the Conservancy.
In addition to wildlife, the native flora and fauna is preserved.
Polk County has 127 lakes, many for public access and fishing.
Most are located east of the Red River Valley, but between Fisher and Eldred is the Malmberg Prairie (80 acres), managed by the Nature Conservancy, that has never seen a plow and represents what the Valley was like before agriculture.
In addition, other areas not under state or federal management include the Sand Hills Recreation Area and Agassiz Environmental Learning Center (a non-profit), the land owned by the City of Fertile.
Take a day to "smell the prairie roses" in Polk County!
