The purpose of Big Stone Wetland Management District (WMD) is to acquire and manage Waterfowl Production Areas (WPAs) in Lincoln and Lyon counties. District staff also serve private land resource interests by providing technical assistance for Department of Agriculture programs and restoring wetlands on private lands.

Currently there are eight WPAs, two FmHA conservation easements and six wetland or habitat protection easements in the district, totaling approximately 3,000 acres. The area remains a critical waterfowl breeding and migration area and offers great potential for a large number of resource protection/enhancement projects within several watersheds that empty into the Minnesota River.