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PLANNING REGION 2 <br /> Planning Region 2 includes all or parts of Santiago, Blue Hill, and Orrock Townships. <br /> Therbume National Wildlife Refuge and the Sand Dunes State Forest are located <br /> Arrn this region. This area has a large amount of open space, as well as many <br /> recreational opportunities.. <br /> Connections <br /> A major goal for this area is to provide improved access to the refuge and state forest <br /> areas. This would allow the existing public facilities to be utilized by county residents to <br /> a greater extent. <br /> Environmental Education <br /> From the south to the north of Planning Region 2, there are more preserved native <br /> communities and wildlife habitat than in any other region. The Sherburne National <br /> Wildlife Refuge and the Sand Dunes State Forest are presently involved in <br /> environmental education; additional collaborative efforts between the county and its <br /> school districts should be explored. <br /> The Sand Dunes State Forest <br /> There are numerous recreational opportunities found within the Sand Dunes State <br /> st. Because the land has been classified as a state forest, recreational use of this <br /> is one of the priorities of this area. <br /> Sherbume National Wildlife Refuge <br /> The active recreational use of the Sherbume National Wildlife Refuge area is limited, <br /> however, the refuge offers many unique opportunities to county residents. The refuge is <br /> well staffed for its mandated requirements as a wildlife refuge, and doesn't require <br /> county assistance within its borders. Refuge personnel have indicated a desire to work <br /> with the county to pursue greater public access to the area. It is not expected that <br /> restrictions will be lessened where wildlife interests are concerned. The county should <br /> look for ways to work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in order to increase public <br /> use of this valuable resource. <br /> Cooperation <br /> This planning region has several opportunities for collaborative park land preservation <br /> and development. The county should work with both the Sand Dunes State Forest and <br /> the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge to increase the amount of recreational use within <br /> this area. <br /> • <br /> SHERBURNE COUNTY PARKS, TRAILS & OPEN SPACE PLAN <br /> 13 <br />