Prairie Creek Wildlife Management Area

In the 1940s, Walter and Florence Koester bought a large parcel of land outside of Northfield, Minnesota. For decades, their family used the land for grazing, hunting, hiking, and wildlife viewing. Their farming practices helped preserve much of the native prairie and oak savannah on the property: today it’s one of the largest expanses of grassland remaining in the region.

To ensure that everyone can enjoy this wildlife haven, the Koester family worked with The Trust for Public Land and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to transform 460 acres of their land into the Prairie Creek Wildlife Management Area. This new public outdoor recreation area is within a short drive of more than half of Minnesota’s population and can be used for hunting, hiking, and birding.

Funding for this project was provided by the Outdoor Heritage Fund as recommended by the Lessard- Sams Outdoor Heritage Council.