Welcome Lostwood to Lostwood (NWR) is one of over 540 refuges "This region is high National Wildlife administered by the U.S. Fish and Refuge Wildlife Service - a system of lands set aside to conserve wildlife and prairie country. habitat for people today and generations to come. Lostwood NWR Numerous lakes, is one of the largest publicly owned tracts of northern mixed grass prairie in the . This 26,904-acre marshes and This blue goose, designed by J.N. Refuge provides key habitat for many unique species of grassland birds. meadows are "Ding" Darling, has become the Lostwood NWR is designated a symbol of the Globally Important Bird Area by the scattered over the National Wildlife American Birding Conservancy and the Refuge System. Audubon Society. The Refuge provides country ... The only essential habitat for prairie-dependent bird species such as Sprague's pipits timber in this region and Baird's sparrows. Some of the larger, showy members of the upland wasformerly on the prairie include marbled godwits, upland sandpipers, and willets.

southeast corner of The 2,000 wetland basins interspersed throughout the Refuge also define (Lower) Lostwood"lc _ Lostwood, and many are home to a variety of waterbirds. Mallard, Lake but was cut off blue-winged teal, gadwall, American wigeon, northern shoveler, and redhead lYy the homesteaders ..." are among the 12 species of colorful waterfowl that breed and nest here. Other members of the wetland Remington Kellogg 1915 community are more often heard and Pair of blue- not seen. Listen for the "slough pump" winged teal in sound of the American bittern. courtship. Ice to a Sea Lostwood NWR is located in the The Civilian Conservation Corps of Grass physiographic region of accomplished many projects in this named the Missouri Coteau. Coteau is region in the 1930's, including the French for "little hill."This distinctive following projects on Lostwood NWj{: landscape of rolling hills and wetlands the auto tour route, loading docks, ~ was shaped by glaciers. The last boundary fences, and dams. Most of glaciers melted away 10,000years these projects can still be seen tod~y ago leaving behind a moraine or ridge and remain a tribute to this era. The of rocks and soil varying in width 100-foot lookout tower was constructed from 10 to 60 miles extending from through the Works Progress southeast Alberta to northwest Iowa. Administration program in 1936.

The glaciers influenced the land In 1964,the Wilderness Act and plant communities we see today. was passed by Congress to Following glaciation, a spruce forest protect large representative dominated the landscape. Gradually, tracts of ecosystems across as the climate warmed over the the United States. The centuries, the forest gave way to 5,577-acre Lostwood a sea of grass dotted with ponds, ~ Wilderness Area was created marshes, and lakes. tr: in 1975 to best represent and ~" protect the northern mixed ~ Human Influences Native Americans thrived in this area grass prairie of the Missouri Wood lily on abundant bison, waterfowl, and Coteau. The Lostwood Wilderness is in bloom other game. Tipi rings, remnants managed to preserve wild character, of these previous residents, can beauty, and native plants and animals. be found at a number of locations on the Refuge. In the early 1900's, Almost Lost Lostwood NWR has a rich diversity immigrants began to settle in the of plants with 700 species represented Lostwood area in response to the in the region and over 100 Homestead Act. The first settlers species of grasses found in found few trees on the prairie. At this area of North Dakota. one time, a small grove of trees was Northern mixed grass prairie located near Lower Lostwood Lake. consists of species of eastern The settlers cut down the trees for tallgrass, western shortgrass, fuelwood, and a blizzard buried the northern fescue, and wood. The Refuge is named for this southern sandhill prairies. "lost wood." ~ Er3 Like all habitats, prairie plant ~ species represent and are President Theodore Roosevelt created determined by the underlying the National Wildlife Refuge System i conditions of temperature, in 1903to conserve our nation's s moisture, light, soil type, wildlife heritage. A major drought ~ and topography. turned the Great Plains into a "Dust Hairy golden Bowl" during the 1930s, and waterfowl aster and spotted populations plunged. The drought gayfeather spurred the establishment of many North Dakota refuges as breeding grounds for migratory birds and other wildlife. Lostwood NWR was established on September 4, 1935. Lostwood ------~--~-- \ (ational Wildlife Refuge \, , Refuge Boundary , State Highway I -\<])- (, - -@-- County Road (gravel) , ,, ------Gravel Road , ...... , Auto Tour Route , , ··D·· Nature Trail , \ , Ii Refuge Headquarters , ,, m Lookout Tower ,, 0 Information Kiosk ,;------_. ,Jl ~ Restrooms , mE , "\ g Accessible Site , , Wilderness Area ------, - Lakes and Wetlands - •• N o miles 4

o kilometers 4

• • To Coulee 18miles 11----(5 50~"';""---:i~ Kenmare

To Stanley Powers Lake 15 miles \ Historically, periodic wildfires, grazing When to Visit Wildlife species and their activity by large herds of bison, and drought Lostwood NWR levels change throughout the seasons. maintained the prairie. As bison From December through J herds diminished and wildfires mid-April, snow blankets } were controlled, the composition the landscape. A showcase of grassland plant and animal species of color begins after April began to change dramatically. By the snow melt as wildflowers 1970's,the grasslands of Lostwood NWR -5 and butterflies brighten the were being overtaken by spreading ~ prairie grasses. Many arctic c shrubs and aspen trees. Grassland and boreal nesting birds birds were being replaced by woodland ~ migrate overhead in large and shrubland bird species. To address Pasqueflower numbers, and some stop these changes, Refuge staff began to briefly. Local breeding birds arrive work toward the restoration of this in May and bring lively sounds and unique habitat. earthy colors to the summer months.

Current management practices mimic Nesting activities for most historical processes as prescribed fire bird species peak in June, has replaced wildfires, and cattle have and by early July, some replaced bison for grazing purposes. shorebird species have Prescribed fire reduces woody and nested, raised their young, non-native plant encroachment. and have started to migrate Grazing stimulates native grasses south. Hawks lazily circle tr: in large flocks or "kettles" to "tiller" or spread their root system. lS Over time, prescribed burning and o~: moving southward in livestock grazing is slowly restoring September. and sustaining native prairie grassland Prescribed fire j~-~ species and the unique mix of animals Late October, cold snaps c improves wildlife that rely on this habitat. rapidly freeze wetland habitat. ~ potholes. Waterbirds fill Pied-billed grebe the skies and hurriedly exit producing a true wonder of nature. After freeze-up, few bird species are hardy enough to remain in the quiet prairie. White-tailed deer and snow buntings are the most abundant and visible winter residents. A comprehensive species list is available at the Refuge headquarters. A Place to Enjoy There are many ways to enjoy Photography and Wildlife Viewing - a Grassland Lostwood NWR, but it is important Photograph wildlife and wildflowers, Landscape to remember that the needs of wildlife and add to your bird list during your come first. Some of the activities you visit. Please ask the Refuge staff for can do or places you can visit include: specific locations to find certain plants or animals. Headquarters Kiosk - Start your visit at the Refuge headquarters where Grouse Viewing Blind - Visit a leaflets and outdoor exhibits are viewing blind located on one of the available. Accessible rest rooms are Refuge's many sharp-tailed grouse available year-round inside the dancing grounds available by phone entryway of the Refuge office. reservation (best viewing is mid-April to early May). Lostwood Wilderness Area- Experience the prairie much like - Portions of the Refuge early settlers did. This area is open are open to hunting for sharp-tailed for hiking, photography, cross-country grouse, gray partridge, and deer. See skiing, and snowshoeing. See the the special hunting regulations at the special wilderness regulations at Refuge headquarters for more Refuge headquarters for more information. information. The Refuge headquarters is located Nature Trail- Take the 7-mile 21 miles north of Stanley, North nature trail from May through Dakota, along State Highway 8. Office September. Enjoy the scenery hours are 7:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday while getting closer to the plants through Friday except for Federal and animals of the prairie. holidays. Lostwood NWR is a field station, and Refuge staff may not be Auto Tour - Travel the 7-mile present when you visit. self-guided auto tour route through the center of the Refuge, open from Accessibility Equal opportunity to participate May through September. Early in and benefit from programs and morning and late afternoon are activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife the best times for viewing wildlife. Service is available to all individuals Piping plover regardless of physical or mental ability. Dial 7-1-1 for a free connection to the State transfer relay service for TrY and voice calls to and from the speech and hearing impaired. For more information or to address accessibility needs, please contact the Refuge 1 staff at 701 /8482722 or the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Equal Opportunity, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20240.