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This unique forest refuge is located three miles east of Mentor and three miles west of Erskine in the prairie pothole region of northwestern Minnesota.
The 2,180-acre Rydell refuge is located on the historic Glacial Lake Agassiz beach ridge transition zone, changing from northern tallgrass prairie/aspen parkland to eastern deciduous forest.
The refuge hosts a unique mixture of habitats, including prairie grassland, wetlands and maple and basswood forest.
The primary focus of the Rydell refuge is to increase the local mallard, northern pintail, wood duck, redhead and ring-necked duck population.
Historically, lakes and wetlands diverted prairie fire from this area and created an island of maple-basswood forest habitat.
Refuge staff plan to restore native forest habitat and reconnect the existing forest to provide a large contiguous block of forest habitat for wildlife species.
The diverse refuge habitats, 657 acres of wetlands, 500 acres of woodland and 750 acres fo prairie restoration host numerous waterfowl, white-tailed deer, ruffed grouse, trumpeter swans, herons, rabbits, raccoon, otter, beaver, mink, muskrats, fox coyotes, various hawk and owl species and more than 100 neotropical migratory bird species. More than 200 bird species have been recorded on the refuge.
Bald eagles nest nearby.
The refuge has an extensive series of wheelchair-accessible trails, five miles of which are paved. A wheelchair-accessible fishing pier is also available. A historic ox cart trail also passes through a portion of the refuge.
The refuge provides interpretive, educational and research opportunities for visitors and students.
The refuge trail system is open from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except when posted during white-tailed deer hunts.
Outdoor Activities |
