Medicine Lake Wildlife Refuge Turns 90 Years

The Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge is celebrating a 90th birthday on Aug. 19. In recognition, Refuge manager Brooke Johns shared some information with the Community News to encourage visitors.

“President Franklin Roosevelt authorized the establishment of the Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge on Aug. 19, 1935,” Johns said. “It was established as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife. At 31,660 acres, the refuge is approximately 30 percent wetlands and 70 percent grasslands. This habitat supports a wide variety of wildlife that migrate through like waterfowl and sandhill cranes and year round residents like sharp-tailed grouse. Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge has the third largest rookery (breeding ground) for American White Pelicans in the nation.”

To learn more about the refuge, visit fws.gov/refuge/ medicine-lake or call Johns at 406-789-2305 X10.