Maga Ta-Hohpi WPA is open to the public for wildlife-dependent recreation and serves as a hub for outdoor and environmental education programs for the Huron community. The Friends Group’s overall Objective is “to develop Maga Ta-Hohpi WPA as an environmental campus, complete with interpretive signing, walking trails, interactive outdoor and indoor experiences, science labs, educational programming, and more." The facility would be utilized for education and recreational purposes by schools, universities, visitors, and residents alike.
PRAIRIE PROJECTS & DEVELOPMENTS
WILD Building and School house: Thanks to a grant from the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation,we have the "WILD" buildling to use of interpretive events. The shelter was named in 2013. "WILD" stands for "Widllfie Instruction Learning & Discovory". The "little red school house" is located to the west of the "WILD" building is used for our outdoor education programs.
Interpretive Signage: Interpretive signage has been replaced and updated at the two WPA kiosks. The signage serves as an educational tool, informing visitors about the environment and natural resources around them. A new kiosk was constructed by the Friends Group in Fall of 2010 at the beginning of the paved hiking trail. Signs were updated on the Hwy 14 kiosk in 2012.
Vaillancourt-Schneck Walking Trail: This paved walking trail is named after two Fish and Wildlife Service employees that were tragically killed in a traffic accident. This accessible walking trail can be accessed from 392nd Avenue (go 0.7 miles north from US Highway 14 to the first mowed parking lot on the west side of the road). For longer hikes on the WPA, the USFWS also maintains 2 miles of mowed trails that can be accessed from 392nd Ave. Three observation decks are located on these trails. A lover railed deck is available for photography. See map below.
Outdoor Restrooms: Two permanent, outdoor restrooms are located along the paved walking trail on the northeast corner of the WPA (just steps from the new shelter) and next to the Little Red Schoolhouse.
Prairie Planting: Expect to see some changes to the WPA over the next several years as part of a multi-year effort to restore areas of tame grass and non native trees back to native grasses and flowers that is more conducive to environmental education, interpretation and native wildlife.
Observation Decks: A observation deck was built in 2012 with Funds from American Bank and Trust on the paved trail. A photo observation deck was built in 2013 with a lower rail that can be used with a pop up photo blind.
Amenities:
Location of Amenities:
All Wildlife Photos Credit to and Courtesy of Chris Bailey and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
