Northwest Montana Wetland Management District

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Northwest Montana Wetland Management District
IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
Northwest Montana Wetland Management District
Location: Montana, USA
Nearest city: Kalispell, MT
Coordinates: 47°53′53″N, 113°51′17″W
Area: 14,752 acres (60 km²)
Established: 1970
Governing body: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

The Northwest Montana Wetland Management District is located in the U.S. state of Montana and is an integral part of the National Bison Range Complex along with four other wildlife refuges and the National Bison Range. The district comprises numerous small wetland environments set aside primarily to protect areas for waterfowl. The district comprises 14 separate Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA)'s totalling 8,452 acres (34 km²) and one 6,300 acre (25.5 km²) Conservation easement along the north shores of Flathead Lake. Some of the land is located on the Flathead Indian Reservation (known as the Tribal Trust Lands of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes) and they continue to have claim over the land provided they assist in maintaining the resource. The Northwest Montana Wetland Management District is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, an agency within the U.S. Department of the Interior. The individual lands were acquired beginning in 1970 by purchasing plots from willing landowners, and an ongoing effort to continue to increase area.

Of the 200 species of birds reportedly observed on district lands, Canada Geese, Peregrine Falcon, Green-winged teal, Meadowlark, Owls, Ring-necked Pheasant, Great Blue Heron and numerous species of Ducks can be found here. Small Mammals such as the Porcupine, Muskrat, Mink, Beaver and Skunk are also common.

Kalispell, Montana is within 12 miles (19 km) of the different locations.

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