The Glacial Ridge Project

By Melissa Behrens

In August of 2000 The Nature Conservancy purchased 24,270 acres of land. This land has become part of the largest prairie restoration project in the world. The land has become know as Glacial Ridge, after the beach ridges that were formed by Glacial Lake Agassiz. Glacial Ridge is an immense prairie and wetland restoration project, located ten miles east of Crookston, Minnesota. Twenty-six public and private partners work together on the project including Ducks Unlimited and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). By utilizing the Wetlands Reserve Program The Nature Conservancy and private landowners have helped to restore habitat for wildlife.

Currently The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has enrolled 7,000 acres in the Wetlands Reserve Program. TNC and NRCS are working together on a third enrollment of 5,040 acres and are eager to close on this in the winter of 2004. In addition neighboring land owners have added to the project area by enrolling 3,000 acres. Another 800 private acres are currently in the application process. When these applications are complete approximately 15,800 acres will be enrolled in the Wetlands Reserve Program.

So what is the Wetlands Reserve Program?

The Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) is a federally funded program offered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service. WRP is a wetland restoration program similar to the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). WRP differs from CRP in that it offers to purchase a permanent easement on the property and it also pays 100% of restoration costs. Easement payment is offered based on agricultural land value. Landowners retain the rights to hunting, fishing, and other recreational uses on the land. Landowners may sell the land once the easement has been recorded. Furthermore, WRP offers many benefits including improved water quality, reduced flooding, and improved habitat for wild life.

Restoration efforts began on Glacial Ridge in 2001. Current enrollments will restore 5,860 acres of previously drained wetlands and over 4,510 acres of native tall grass prairie. The wetlands vary in size from shallow seasonal wetlands to deep permanent marshes. The tall grass prairie restorations utilize seed from sources within a sixty mile radius of the project. This native ecotype seed should be well adapted to the area and should therefore produce a better stand.

In conclusion, The Glacial Ridge property provides homes to dozens of waterfowl and upland bird species including the Sand Hill Crane and the Greater Prairie Chicken. Additionally it also provides habitat to a variety of species from moose to butterflies. Enrollments in the project provide a massive new habitat for these animals and diversity is sure to grow. Continued efforts by local landowners, The Nature Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited, and NRCS are sure to make this project a continued success. For more information on Glacial Ridge please contact the NRCS Glacial Ridge office in Crookston or visit The Nature Conservancy’s website:

 http://nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/minnesota/preserves/art6943.html