Hamden Slough National Wildlife Refuge

The Refuge is located near Audubon, MN, in a transition zone between flat, tallgrass prairie on the west and north, and a rolling hardwood forest-lake region to the east and south. It is in the migratory corridor of the Eastern prairie pothole population of Canada geese.

The refuge began restoration of wetlands and uplands in 1991. When completed refuge acreage should encompass almost 6,000 acres of prairie wetland ecosystem and will support 219 species of migratory and nesting birds. Prior to settlement, the area teemed with waterfowl, prairie chickens, bison, wolves and other prairie wildlife. The station's objective is to restore/enhance 3,000 acres of wetlands and 2,250 acres of upland grass.

Visitor Opportunities

Recreational opportunities in this area include: visitor contact station, wildlife observation, and hiking trails.

Accessibility: The National Wildlife Refuge System is working to ensure that facilities and programs are accessible to visitors. Please contact the refuge office for information about accessibility at this unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Visitors at Hamden Slough National Wildlife Refuge can be treated to seeing the development of a new refuge and the dramatic response of wildlife to restored wetlands and upland. Spring and fall waterfowl and migratory bird displays have been spectacular near the refuge office. Visitors can view the spring and fall migrations from the office parking lot or from township and county roads that run through and adjacent to the wetlands. A visitor parking lot, walkway, and overlook have been built on the Hesby Wetland, just 1 mile northeast of the refuge office.

Eagles and hawks are also attracted by the abundant numbers of birds, and can be observed taking American coots on Homstad Lake and Hesby Wetland. Hundreds of avian predators can be observed in the vicinity of Bisson Lake during the spring run-off of snow, while ditches are still blocked with ice. This display will continue for a longer period in the spring, when Bisson Lake is fully restored, now planned for 1999.

As a new refuge, visitor facilities are limited to the refuge office located 1 mile northeast of Audubon, Minnesota. The office is the site of a former farm stead on the south end of the refuge.

Management Programs
The goal of Hamden Slough National Wildlife Refuge is to reestablish almost 6,000 acres of prairie wetland ecosystem on the tall-grass prairie. Within the designated boundary of the refuge, 280 wetlands will be restored. Thirty-seven (37) of those wetlands will require a water control structure. Early restorations of wetlands and uplands have had a dramatic effect on migrating and nesting bird species. Bird diversity and abundance has spiraled upward, particularly some songbird species. Migrating waterfowl numbers have exploded, with spectacular spring and fall displays since 1995, when the first flooding of major wetlands took place.

Upland restorations have also been progressing, with the first native grass seedlings being stimulated by prescribed fires. Burning activity in remnant native grass uplands has also stimulated many species of dormant prairie wildflowers. Wildflower displays in these small native stands have attracted visitors, who come to see previously unseen species. Wildflower seed is also mixed with native grass seedlings to increase diversity. Increased plant diversity attracts additional insects, which deposit eggs and larva, providing a rich protein source for spring chicks and ducklings.

The staff of 2 has restored 110 wetlands since 1991. On October 1, 1997, a major restoration program titled "North Star 2000," was kicked off to restore 220 wetlands and 965 acres of upland on and around the refuge by the year 2000. This multiple-partnership project involves federal, state, county, and private landowners. The centerpiece of North Star 2000 is the restoration of the 112-acre Bisson Lake. It also includes the restoration of 130 smaller wetlands and upland adjacent to Bisson Lake. The first phase of this program will restore 65 wetlands and 200 acres of upland in that area during 1998.

Directions
The refuge office is located 1 mile northeast of Audubon, Minnesota. Visitors can get to the refuge office by following the brown and white refuge signs on state, county, and township roads. The best route to the refuge office from U.S. Hwy. 10 at Audubon is north on County Road #13 to the center of downtown Audubon. Proceed east on County Road #104 for 1.3 miles, then north on County Road #104 for 0.75 mile to the south end of the refuge. Follow refuge signs and proceed 0.25 mile northwest on Township Road #440 to the refuge office.

Rt. 1, Box 32
Audubon, MN 56511
Phone (218) 439-6319
Fax (218) 439-6907
E-mail mike_t_murphy@fws.gov