Visitor Center Museum

Tamarac’s exhibit area offers a peek into the natural and cultural history of the refuge.

Discover how the Ojibwe Indians harvested and processed monoomin or wild rice. Find out what it means to parch, jig and winnow!

Learn how this red and white pine wilderness became a logging mecca for the settlers in the late 1800’s. Read about timber harvest techniques including the floating of logs down the Ottertail River.  

Watch a video and listen to the childhood stories of a man who grew up on the refuge. Find out what it was like to tame this wild country and turn a piece of it into farmland.

Tamarac’s diverse habitats support many species of wildlife. Visit a vernal pond. Listen to the story of the wood frog, an animal equipped with some amazing adaptations for survival. Learn how aspens provide a home for ruffed grouse. Listen to their story of survival as well. Peer into our forest and wetland habitat. Use your observation skills and see if you can locate 18 critters. Don’t be discouraged! Some are hiding.

Listen to the Sounds of Tamarac.  From the sound of trumpeters to the snorting of a whitetail, learn how you can identify 12 calls of the wild

Touch the furs of the many mammals that call Tamarac home including mink, otter, beaver to name a few.

Head upstairs to our observation deck. On the way, get up close and personal with bald eagles and their nest.  While outside, view through the scope and search for wildlife on Jim’s Marsh. Look for swans, bald eagles, loons, and otters.

Finally check out our seasonal displays which include spring wildflowers, invasive species, signs of wildlife and more.