What We Do
Wildlife conservation is at the heart of the National Wildlife Refuge System. It drives everything on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands and waters managed within the Refuge System, from the purposes for which a national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
Learn more about national wildlife refuge is established to the recreational activities offered to the resource management tools used. Using conservation best practices, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employees manage Refuge System lands and waters to help ensure the survival of native species.
On Service-owned properties across the District, management is focused on wetland habitat preservation and improvement, waterfowl production, maintaining habitat for migratory birds, and providing winter habitat for resident wildlife.
The District also protects small wetlands and native grasslands by purchasing conservation easements from private landowners. District staff work with private landowners to assist with developing and restoring wildlife habitat. As part of this type of work, technical and cost-share assistance for agricultural and wildlife projects such as grazing systems, wetland restoration and creation, no-till planting, and grass seeding is available to private landowners.
Management and Conservation
Refuges use a host of scientifically sound management tools to address conservation challenges. These tools are all aimed at ensuring a balanced conservation approach to benefit both wildlife and people.
North Dakota has over 285,000 acres of habitat conserved as waterfowl production areas. These wetland and grassland habitats are managed through livestock grazing, haying, and prescribed burning. These tools improve and maintain grasslands for waterfowl and other nesting birds, helping to sustain North America's waterfowl populations.
Prescribed burning and grazing are preferred tools for enhancing native grasses. When timed properly, both of these techniques can improve vigor and change the species composition of native grasses. Haying and raking can also improve the native and tame grasses. Haying and grazing activities are accomplished by private landowners who have special use permits.
On occasion, private landowners enter into cooperative farming agreements with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Under these agreements, old stands of planted grasslands are broken out and farmed for successive years and then seeded back to tame or native grass species.
Invasive weed management techniques include chemical application, mowing, sheep grazing, and biological controls such as flea beetles on leafy spurge.
Our Services
Cooperative Agriculture, Haying, and Grazing
To better accomplish our grassland management objectives, we regularly utilize agricultural practices to manage and enhance habitat for wildlife. If you are interested in grazing livestock, harvesting hay, or cooperatively farming on Wetland Management District lands, please contact the Refuge Manager, Jacob Hourt at (701) 752-4218 or jacob_hourt@fws.gov
Visitor Services
The District office is located 1.5 miles east of Woodworth, North Dakota on 19th Street SE. Refuge managers work both in the field and in the office. Please call ahead to schedule an in-person visit with one of our staff.
There are no visitor facilities located at individual waterfowl production areas.
Law Enforcement
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service law enforcement officers have a wide variety of duties and responsibilities. Officers help visitors understand and obey wildlife protection laws. They work closely with state and local government offices to enforce federal, state, and refuge hunting regulations that protect migratory birds and other game species from illegal take and preserve legitimate hunting opportunities. Other law enforcement duties include patrolling closed areas or wilderness areas, maintaining good relationships with neighboring landowners, maintaining refuge boundaries, and participating in public events.
Laws and Regulations
The following laws guide management activities on all refuge lands.