Property Acquisition near Horseshoe Lake for a Wildlife Management Area

Waterville, MN - Trust for Public Land, a national nonprofit, recently purchased a 152-acre property near Waterville, MN, to be transferred to public ownership and managed by the Minnesota DNR as the Horseshoe Lake Wildlife Management Area.

Signage at the Horseshoe Lake WMA

This new wildlife management area is a mosaic of forest, wetland, and grassland habitats, offering a multitude of outdoor recreational opportunities for the public to enjoy. Conservation of this WMA contributes to a larger protected habitat block near Horseshoe Lake, which includes the Horseshoe Lake Aquatic Management Area located within a mile of the new WMA. From hunting and fishing to observing wildlife, this new WMA will be a treasured destination for many Minnesotans.

Trust for Public Land is part of a long-term collaborative conservation partnership project with Clean River Partners and Great River Greening to acquire and restore land for protection and public access. Together, they protect and restore specific parcels of land that contribute to larger forests, prairies, and wetlands, preserving critical wildlife habitat and enhancing access for hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing. Funding for this project is provided by the Outdoor Heritage Fund as recommended by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council.

“Trust for Public Land is proud to help permanently protect this special landscape and ensure it becomes part of Minnesota’s treasured system of Wildlife Management Areas,” said Sophie Harris Vorhoff, Minnesota State Director for Trust for Public Land. “Thanks to the vision of the Hruska family and our partnership with Clean River Partners and Great River Greening, this former family farm will now offer public access for hunting, fishing, and wildlife observation—while preserving critical habitat for generations to come.”

This charming property, a century-old family farm once lovingly tended by the Hruska Family, is rich in a history of diverse farming practices and treasured family memories of walking the woods, picking berries, and tapping maple trees. As dedicated pioneers in conservation, when it became clear that the family would no longer continue farming, they became one of the first farms in Le Sueur County to enroll in the Conservation Reserve Program. Through this program, they thoughtfully transitioned the land to protect its environmental integrity. Fast forward to the present day, the Hruska family decided to sell the property, ensuring it remains permanently protected and open to the public.

The public is invited to attend a dedication event for the Horseshoe Lake WMA on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., near Waterville, MN, to honor the Hruska family and celebrate these new public lands. Trust for Public Land, Clean River Partners, and Great River Greening will present on their habitat protection and restoration efforts, and the event will conclude with an optional hike on the property. Details about the event can be found here.

For additional information about the event or to arrange interviews, please contact Maggie Stahley at (507) 200-0267 or maggie@cleanriverpartners.org.