Hamden Slough National Wildlife Refuge in Minnesota lies near Audubon in a transition zone where eastern hardwood forest meets western prairie, an area that once supported abundant wetland and prairie wildlife. Created chiefly for restoration, the refuge aims to rebuild 3,000 acres of wetlands and 2,250 acres of upland grass as part of nearly 6,000 contiguous acres of wetland prairie habitat, intended to become the region’s largest continuous tract of its kind. The restored habitat already supports waterfowl, shorebirds, migratory songbirds, and birds of prey, with growing bird populations, while also serving conservation, recreation, and education through gradual land acquisition and stewardship.