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Manager of Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge briefs county on habitat work, education and access ideas
Summary
Bill Peterson, manager of the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, told the county board the refuge administers roughly 60,000 acres and highlighted education partnerships, prescribed-fire and grazing research, Emerald Ash Borer planning, and early-stage ideas for a bike-trail connection pending funding.
Bill Peterson, manager of the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, gave commissioners a broad update on refuge operations and community outreach.
Peterson said the refuge complex administers about 60,000 acres of fee title plus approximately 7,000 acres of easements across central northeastern Minnesota and that the refuge “makes up 10% of the county.” He described active outreach with nearby school districts, noting elementary students from Princeton and Zimmerman routinely visit the refuge as part of environmental education.
On land management, Peterson described habitat work that includes prescribed fire (refuge staff burn roughly 5,000 acres annually) and research on the beneficial use of grazing (goats and cattle) to replicate historic grazing patterns. The refuge is partnering with the University of Minnesota on projects and is monitoring emerging threats, especially Emerald Ash Borer; staff are working with state DNR partners to identify replacement tree species for ash-dominated stands.
Peterson also noted a new Fish and Wildlife Service law-enforcement officer, Peter Harvey, who is based at the refuge and brings a Belgian Malinois K-9 named Togo as an additional resource for search-and-rescue and law-enforcement support for local agencies.
Looking ahead, Peterson described exploratory trail ideas linking Orrock Town Hall toward County Road 9 and said the proposals remain in the funding and planning stages. He encouraged county officials to contact refuge staff for event and outreach opportunities and thanked commissioners for their support.
