The district manages hundreds of federally owned waterfowl productions areas in Becker, Clay, Mahnomen, Norman and Polk Counties in northwest Minnesota. The district is divided into three general landscape areas: the Red River Valley floodplain, the glacial moraine/prairie pothole region, and the hardwood/coniferous forest.
Group of cows and calves looking at the photographer in a pasture.
Grazing Opportunity

The Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District is offering, to all eligible applicants, an opportunity to enter into a Cooperative Agricultural Agreement (CAA) to conduct grazing on the specified National Wildlife Refuge and Waterfowl Production Areas. Grazing will be used to manage the grassland habitat and improve conditions for nesting migratory birds. Information regarding site specific treatments can be found on the following Notice of Cooperative Agriculture Opportunity.

Hill River/ Vaa WPA is northeast of McIntosh, MN approximately 3 miles.  It is accessed by a gravel road on the south, north, and east sides of the grazing areas.  Hill River/ Vaa WPA is approximately 790 acres with approximately 688 acres being upland.  Grazing units vary on available water and non-forested areas.  Hill River WPA (units 1,2,3,& 4) and Vaa WPA (unit 5) currently have a 2 strand barb with one high tensile electric strand running the perimeter.  

Visit Us

National wildlife refuges and wetland management districts offer us all a chance to unplug from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with our natural surroundings.

Location and Contact Information

      What We Do

      Services
      A beautiful green grassland with white flowers in bloom under a partly cloudy sky
      Grassland Easements

      In the United States, the Prairie Pothole Region is located within the northern Great Plains in parts of Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Characterized by thousands of shallow, glacially formed wetlands known as potholes, the Prairie Pothole Region provides habitat for...

      Service
      Consultation and Technical Assistance
      Financial Assistance
      Dozens of waterfowl flying over a grassy wetland
      Wetland Easements

      In the United States, the Prairie Pothole Region is located within the northern Great Plains in parts of Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Characterized by thousands of shallow wetlands known as potholes, the Prairie Pothole Region provides habitat for globally...

      Service
      Consultation and Technical Assistance
      Financial Assistance
      Land Management and Conservation Assistance

      Our Species

      Waterfowl, grassland birds and stunning prairie wildflowers can be found in abundance on the district.