Welcome to the Fergus Falls Wetland Management District, where we care for 50,000 acres of wildlife habitat scattered across five counties in western Minnesota. Situated on the eastern edge of North America's Prairie Pothole Region, also known as the duck factory, we strive to preserve, restore, and manage wetlands and prairies for nesting waterfowl (ducks, geese, and swans). You can enjoy many types of outdoor recreation here through the seasons while you observe wildlife, like bird watching, hiking, nature photography, snowshoeing, and hunting. The best place for many visitors to start their adventure is at the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center.
YCC Youth checking a bluebird box for nesting activity
2025 SUMMER YOUTH JOBS

Do you love being outdoors?  Maybe you’re interested in a career in conservation or wildlife management. Then the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) is for YOU! The Fergus Falls Wetland Management District (District) is hiring two individuals, ages 15 through 18, for employment in the YCC Program. 


To apply for one of these positions, please fill out a Youth Conservation Corps Application and return it to the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center (address above) no later than 4:00 p.m., April 21, 2025.  The Visitor Center is open every Friday from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm. To turn in your application on other days, call the delivery numbers posted on the door.  No email applications Participants will be selected through a random drawing process that will be conducted April 24, 2025.
 More information & Application

Students gathered on the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center campus
Minnesota's prairie jewel
The Prairie Wetlands Learning Center has been, and will continue to be, a shining beacon on the prairies of western Minnesota.

Visit Us

Several visitors walk across a wooden bridge on a frozen wetland in the winter prairie.
Visitors cross Mallard Marsh on the frozen floating bridge in winter. | Image Details

We invite you to join us in enjoying and caring for this spectacular landscape. Wetland management districts offer us all a chance to unplug from the stresses of daily life and connect with our natural surroundings. The Prairie Wetlands Learning Center provides quality environmental education and outdoor recreation for visitors. We hope you visit as regularly and often as possible, because each experience holds unexpected wonders to delight your heart and mind and link you to land and sky, water and wildlife.

Location and Contact Information

MarkerMarker
  • Fergus Falls Wetland Management District
    (218) 739-2291
    18965 County Highway 82 Fergus Falls, MN 56537-7726
    View Details
  • Prairie Wetlands Learning Center
    (218) 998-4480
    Prairie Wetlands Learning Center 602 State Highway 210 East Fergus Falls, MN 56537
    View Details

    Tours

    A line of about a dozen children and adults snowshoe across a bridge
    Image Details

    The Fergus Falls Wetland Management District provides interpretive programs at the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center for the general public and for organized groups of 10 or more people.  For more information, see our calendar of events or call us.

    Our Species

    9 mallard eggs in a nest hidden in dry brown prairie grasses
    Mallard nest hidden in prairie grasses | Image Details

    Fergus Falls Wetland Management District is located in North America’s duck factory, a region historically rich in wetlands, prairie and waterfowl. We manage district lands most notably for nesting ducks, geese and swans, as well as migratory songbirds. You can observe and appreciate hundreds of species of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians through the seasons that are dependent upon this ecosystem to complete part or all of their life cycles.