Projects
Current Projects
BCPF has acquired another 88 acres in Brown County which will be made public in the spring of 2025. It was reseeded this fall and be open for the fall hunting season. Stay tuned for more information on this parcel as it becomes available.
As "Land Acquisition Projects" become finalized or completed we will add them to this location for all to see.
Rosenau-Lambrecht Wildlife Management Area - Additions
2024 has brought nearly 230 new acres for public use to Brown Counties Wildlife Management Area or WMAs. Two of these land parcels were dedicated during the MN Governors Pheasant Opener and the dedication was help on October 11, 2024. This land dedication ceremony had some key attendees to help promote these new acquisitions. The ceremony had as keynote speakers:
· Joe Stangel, Acting Regional Wildlife Manager MN Department of Natural Resources
· Marilyn Vetter, President & CEO Pheasants Forever
· Lauren Bennett McGinty, Executive Director, Explore Minnesota
· Sarah Strommen, Commissioner, MN Department of Natural Resources
· Peggy Flanagan, Lt. Governor of the State of Minnesota
Nestled between the Minnesota and Cottonwood rivers, the Rosenau-Lambrecht WMA is home to 568 acres of prairie and wetlands in Brown County. The latest two acquisitions, totaling 140 acres, were led by Brown County Pheasants Forever which started in 2023.
Since the first acquisition in 1972, “Spider Slough” was later named Rosenau-Lambrecht WMA in 1973, in recognition of two local farmers who provided instrumental support in the project. Acquisition and habitat work has continued over the years, with efforts from Brown County Pheasants Forever, the New Ulm chapter of the Izaak Walton League, the Lost Dog and Fox Hunters Club, and other community support. The most recent additions would not have been possible without support from the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Fund.
The site of the land dedication celebration is about 40 acres and is open and ready for use by the public. More than 25 volunteers from Brown County Pheasants Forever, along with members of the local high school trap shooting team, assisted the Department of Natural Resources in preparing the parcel for public use.
Restoration of the 100-acre parcel will begin this fall and continue into the spring of 2025 by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. This parcel should be open to the public by the fall of 2025.
The addition of 140 new acres have now been added to the Rosenau-Lambrect WMA for a total of 748 acres for habitat wildlife and will be open to public for hunting and enjoyment by all.
Parcel 1: Rosenau-Lambrecht WMA East Unit. The new addition includes 40 acres to the east of the main parcels of the Rosenau-Lambrecht WMA. This parcel consists mainly of native plant species including Showy Tick Trefoil, Wild Bergamot, Yellow Coneflower, and many species of grasses. This unit offers good opportunities to observe prairie songbirds, and hunt multiple game species including deer, pheasants, and other small game. Location: Take U.S. Hwy 14 east approximately 8.5 miles from the east edge of Sleepy Eye. Turn north on 185th Avenue. Go approximately one-half mile, crossing the railroad tracks. The parking lot is on the west side on the road.
Parcel 2: Rosenau-Lambrecht WMA Main Unit. This new 100-acre addition to the north of the main parcels of the Rosenau-Lambrecht WMA will be restored to a prairie wetland complex. Restoration will begin in the fall of 2024 and continue into the spring of 2025. This unit will offer opportunities to observe prairie songbirds, as well as hunt multiple game species including deer, pheasants, and other small game. Location: Take U.S. Hwy 14 east approximately 6.2 miles from the east edge of Sleepy Eye. Turn north on 250th Avenue. Go approximately 1.1 miles. The WMA is on the east side of the road.
At least we have a new sign for the recent “Land Dedication” ceremony. Attached is the sign we got approved from the DNR. It is known as a “Recognition Sign”. Key words for getting this approved. This sign does several things we like:
• Name of WMA parcel.
• Land description and game species present.
• Size in acres the WMA land parcel.
• Map which shows area and private property boundaries and parking area.
• Partners for recognition.
This sign is made of aluminum by the same folks who make the MN Dept. of Transportation signs. The cost with artwork was about $750. per sign. They as well are guaranteed for 8 years. You will need two posts, screws and a couple of bags of post cement for mounting. Total cost is about $1000. This is a saving of over $10,000 if you get the approved MN DNR wood routed signs which really say nothing. They are expensive and don’t last.
Brown County Pheasants Forever has set its sights in 2025 to add at least 5-7 new signs like these at other WMAs.
