Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in central Minnesota was established in 1992 to protect a large natural marsh complex within a broad watershed of lakes, rivers, creeks, and sedge meadows. An important stop for migrating birds, it is especially significant for supporting one of Minnesota’s largest nesting populations of greater sandhill cranes. Its habitats include wetlands with wild rice stands, native tallgrass prairie, and oak savanna, combining water and upland environments valuable to wildlife. The refuge’s authorized acquisition boundary spans 13,540 acres, while its scattered parcels total about 2,000 acres. It also serves as the Morrison County base for the Federal Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, which helps landowners restore drained wetlands through voluntary agreements.