Aurora Wildlife Management Area Addition

The Trust for Public Land acquired and conveyed 260 acres of land to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) as an addition to the Aurora Wildlife Management Area (WMA). Located southeast of Owatonna, this property is a mix of wetland and grassland habitat. The acquisition of this land not only protects the existing wetland habitats, it also now protects the headwaters of Turtle Creek, and will allow for the restoration of the agricultural fields back into prairie. In addition to all of the great habitat benefits, the permanent protection of these 260 acres increases the size of the WMA by 30% and provides new public access opportunities for quality outdoor recreation and hunting opportunities.
 
The acquisition was funded by the Outdoor Heritage Fund. The Trust for Public Land helped lead the campaign to establish the Outdoor Heritage Fund as part of the 2008 Legacy Referendum that provides dedicated sales tax funding for the environment.