Conservation champions Lessard, Anderson honored with new Minnesota Wildlife Management Area

International Falls, Minn. — Supporters gathered just a few steps from the banks of the Rainy River on Oct. 6 for a dedication ceremony to celebrate the new Lessard-Anderson Wildlife Management Area in northern Minnesota.

The WMA is named in honor of two key figures in Minnesota conservation: Bob Lessard and the late Bob Anderson. Lessard, a long-serving Minnesota District 3 senator from International Falls was the chief author of the bill that established Minnesota’s Clean Water Land and Legacy Amendment in 2008, a cornerstone of the state’s conservation efforts.

Anderson, a lifelong resident and former mayor of International Falls, also played a significant role in conservation by chairing the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council, which directs Legacy Amendment dollars through the Outdoor Heritage Fund. Anderson served in the Minnesota Legislature from 1977-1996. He passed away in 2019.

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The 276-acre site includes 1.6 miles of Rainy River shoreline and is about 35 miles east of International Falls in Koochiching County. Pheasants Forever acquired the property through a large number of private and public partnerships. The tract will be open for public use and will be managed by the Minnesota DNR, primarily to support sharp-tailed grouse, ruffed grouse, and white-tailed deer populations. The tract contains a sharp-tailed grouse lek. An accessible fishing pier may also be added.

“A lot of people might say, ‘hey there are no pheasants up there near the Rainy River,’ and I would say that Pheasants Forever’s mission is to conserve pheasants, quail, and other wildlife,” said Sabin Adams, Minnesota Pheasants Forever coordinator. “This property has ruffed grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, and a tremendous amount of hunting opportunity available to the public, and that’s what we’re really all about – giving people the opportunity to recreate and experience beautiful outdoor spaces.

“When you add the ability to honor two conservation legends in Minnesota and the amazing cooperation we had with our local partners, it was a no-brainer,” Adams said.

The project was completed by Pheasants Forever through major support from Reinvest in Minnesota Critical Habitat Match Fund’s license plate sales, Koochiching County, the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association, the National Wild Turkey Federation, Minnesota Forest Industries, Packaging Corporation of America, and Pheasants Forever’s Martin, Tri County, and Minnesota Public Lands chapters.

By permanently protecting high-quality habitat, Pheasants Forever’s acquisition strategy provides solutions to the nation’s most complex sustainability issues, including improved biodiversity, soil health, water stewardship, and rural economic development – while simultaneously prioritizing maximum impact for pheasants, quail, and associated wildlife.