Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge

Ecosystem Overview

The Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge ecosystem supports 74 documented wildlife species across 67 taxonomic genera. Located in Polk County, Minnesota, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 15 frequently observed species and 14 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Polk County nearby has 6% more documented species, Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #32 for species diversity among 100 Polk County County natural areas, placing it in the 68th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

#32

Regional Rank

Out of 100 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common15 species

Common23 species

Occasional22 species

Rare14 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#32 of 100 locations

68th percentile for diversity

vs. Polk County

-6% species diversity

Ecosystem Overview

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Biodiversity Highlights

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Species Distribution

Very Common‌

Common‌

Occasional‌

Rare‌

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

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Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 74 total documented species.

Asclepias speciosa

Greek Milkweed

Very Common4.26 obs.

Lithobates pipiens

Northern Leopard Frog

Very Common4.21 obs.

Ratibida columnifera

Mexican-Hat

Very Common4.17 obs.

Heliopsis helianthoides

Oxeye

Very Common4 obs.

Amorpha canescens

Wild Tea

Very Common3.19 obs.

Danaus plexippus

Monarch

Common3.18 obs.

Helianthus maximiliani

Maximilian Sunflower

Common3 obs.

Berteroa incana

Hoary Alison

Common3 obs.

Liatris aspera

Tall Gayfeather

Common3 obs.

Verbena stricta

Tall Vervain

Common3 obs.

Echinacea angustifolia

Kansas Snakeroot

Common3 obs.

Veronicastrum virginicum

Blackroot

Occasional3 obs.

Symphoricarpos occidentalis

Wolfberry

Occasional2.72 obs.

Galium boreale

Crosswort

Occasional2.09 obs.

Lilium philadelphicum

Red Lily

Occasional2.04 obs.

Pediomelum argophyllum

Silver-Leaved Psorala

Occasional2 obs.

Bromus inermis

Smooth Brome

Occasional2 obs.

Tragopogon dubius

Salsify

Rare2 obs.

Oenothera serrulata

Yellow Sundrops

Rare2 obs.

Potentilla recta

Erect Potentil

Rare2 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+14%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Polk County County, Minnesota

Nearby Natural Areas

Polk County

Importance: 0.80

79 species

-6% vs. current

Crookston

Importance: 0.70

77 species

-4% vs. current

East Grand Forks

Importance: 0.70

76 species

-3% vs. current

Maple Meadows Wma

Importance: 0.70

75 species

-1% vs. current

Fertile

Importance: 0.70

59 species

+25% vs. current

Pembina Trail Sna

Importance: 0.70

58 species

+28% vs. current

Chicog Wma

Importance: 0.70

55 species

+35% vs. current

Rydell National Wildlife Refuge

Importance: 0.70

37 species

+100% vs. current

About This Comparison

These comparisons are based on documented wildlife observations from citizen science data. Locations with higher species counts may have more observation activity, different habitat types, or larger coverage areas. Regional rankings help identify biodiversity hotspots and unique natural areas within Polk County County.

Regional Comparison

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Regional Ranking

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Species Count

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vs. Regional Average

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Nearby Natural Areas

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About This Comparison

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Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 74 total documented species.

Asclepias speciosa

Greek Milkweed

Very Common4.26 obs.

Lithobates pipiens

Northern Leopard Frog

Very Common4.21 obs.

Ratibida columnifera

Mexican-Hat

Very Common4.17 obs.

Heliopsis helianthoides

Oxeye

Very Common4 obs.

Amorpha canescens

Wild Tea

Very Common3.19 obs.

Danaus plexippus

Monarch

Common3.18 obs.

Helianthus maximiliani

Maximilian Sunflower

Common3 obs.

Berteroa incana

Hoary Alison

Common3 obs.

Liatris aspera

Tall Gayfeather

Common3 obs.

Verbena stricta

Tall Vervain

Common3 obs.

Echinacea angustifolia

Kansas Snakeroot

Common3 obs.

Veronicastrum virginicum

Blackroot

Occasional3 obs.

Symphoricarpos occidentalis

Wolfberry

Occasional2.72 obs.

Galium boreale

Crosswort

Occasional2.09 obs.

Lilium philadelphicum

Red Lily

Occasional2.04 obs.

Pediomelum argophyllum

Silver-Leaved Psorala

Occasional2 obs.

Bromus inermis

Smooth Brome

Occasional2 obs.

Tragopogon dubius

Salsify

Rare2 obs.

Oenothera serrulata

Yellow Sundrops

Rare2 obs.

Potentilla recta

Erect Potentil

Rare2 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 74 species with 3-4 high-quality images each, detailed descriptions, and a downloadable PDF for offline use.

Premium field guide includes identification tips, seasonal patterns, and professional layout optimized for field use.

Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+14%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Polk County County, Minnesota

Nearby Natural Areas

Polk County

Importance: 0.80

79 species

-6% vs. current

Crookston

Importance: 0.70

77 species

-4% vs. current

East Grand Forks

Importance: 0.70

76 species

-3% vs. current

Maple Meadows Wma

Importance: 0.70

75 species

-1% vs. current

Fertile

Importance: 0.70

59 species

+25% vs. current

Pembina Trail Sna

Importance: 0.70

58 species

+28% vs. current

Chicog Wma

Importance: 0.70

55 species

+35% vs. current

Rydell National Wildlife Refuge

Importance: 0.70

37 species

+100% vs. current

About This Comparison

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

#32

Regional Rank

Out of 100 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common15 species

Common23 species

Occasional22 species

Rare14 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#32 of 100 locations

68th percentile for diversity

vs. Polk County

-6% species diversity