Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge, National Wildlife Refuge in Bennett County, South Dakota.
Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge is a protected area covering 16,570 acres of wetlands, meadows, and planted forests along the northern edge of the Nebraska Sandhills. These varied habitats support a wide range of birds and other wildlife throughout the year.
The refuge was established on August 26, 1935, following conservation work by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. This initiative helped protect vital wildlife habitat in the region during a critical period.
The area served as a gathering place for Native American tribes including the Lakota, Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Pawnee during the 1800s. This heritage remains woven into how people today understand and respect the landscape.
The refuge can be explored by driving auto routes, accessing waterways by boat, or walking designated trails like the Pelican Island Trail and Bird Trail. Using a car works best for covering longer distances, while walking trails offer closer views of specific habitats.
The refuge provides winter shelter for 80 to 100 trumpeter swans, a species that makes this place a key stopping point in their annual cycle. During migration and rest periods, tens of thousands of ducks and geese arrive here, creating remarkable viewing opportunities for bird watchers.
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