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
Shelter Complete: Thanks to a grant from the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, a new shelter is complete and used for several special events and projects. The shelter is located on the northeast corner of the WPA and will be used for educational and recreational activities.
Interpretive Signage: Watch as interpretive signage develops at the WPA. The signage will serve 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.
Walking Trail: The construction of a permanent paved walking trail is complete. You can access the trail 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 over 3 miles of mowed trails that can be accessed from 392nd Ave. An observation deck can be accessed from Highway 14.
Outdoor Restrooms: Two new permanent, outdoor restrooms have been completed and are located along the new 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 back to native grasses and flowers that is more conducive to environmental education, interpretation and wildlife.
Bluebird Trail with Nesting Boxes
Observation Deck
Field Classroom for hands-on environmental education
GPS & Compass Trail and Virtual Geocache
Interpretive Kiosks
