Rydell National Wildlife Refuge
R.R. 3 Box 105
Erskine Minnesota, 56535
Visitor center:(218)-687-2223
Go directly to photos -Photos by D. & Y. Arscott - Spring 2002

The 2,150 acre National Wildlife Refuge is named after the Leonard Rydell Family who divested their wildlife sanctuary to the Richard Mellon Foundation in 1992. The Mellon Foundation in turn deeded the area to the Fish & Wildlife Service to serve as a NWR and Demonstration area. The Refuge offers the public a wide variety of wildlife-dependent recreational and educational opportunities.

Prior to settlement, the land which now lies within the boundaries of the Refuge was a mosaic of wetlands, bog, Maple/basswood forest and scattered grasslands -a transition zone between the tallgrass prairie zone to the west and the forest to our east. As the land was cleared and plowed for agriculture, wetlands were drained. Today, in addition to ten natural large wetlands, the Refuge has restored 5 small wetlands with 8 additional restorations planned. Plans also call for the restoration of several hundred acres of hardwood forest habitats for neotropical bird habitat.

Today, the wetlands and uplands are used by trumpeter swans, ruffed grouse, bluebirds, wood duck, Canada geese, bald eagles, sandhill cranes, loons, white-tailed deer, beaver, mink, muskrat, otter, and fishers. These are just a few of the wildlife sightings that a visitor to Rydell may experience. Over a hundred bird species visit the Rydell lands.

There are 3.5 miles of accessible paved trails, and an additional 5.5 miles of hard surface gravel trails through six different habitat types, providing an extensive opportunity for the family or individual to enjoy wildlife in their natural habitats.