Home / Environment / Rainy River Conservation Effort Honors Minnesota Legends
Rainy River Conservation Effort Honors Minnesota Legends
4 Oct, 2025
Summary
- 279-acre site along Rainy River acquired for public use
- Honors former state senator Bob Lessard and Bob Anderson
- Part of Minnesota's Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment
On October 4, 2025, a dedication ceremony is planned to mark the acquisition of nearly 280 acres of new public land along the Rainy River in northern Minnesota. The 279.84-acre site was purchased by Pheasants Forever and will be sold to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to manage as the Lessard Anderson Wildlife Management area.
The purchase honors two key figures in Minnesota conservation - former state Senator Bob Lessard and Bob Anderson, a lifelong resident and former mayor of International Falls who passed away in 2019. Lessard was the chief author of the bill that established Minnesota's Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment, which has been a cornerstone of the state's conservation efforts since 2008.
The newly acquired land features 1.6 miles of shoreline along the Rainy River, which will now be conserved for public use and wildlife habitat. Pheasants Forever paid $800,000 for the property and is in the process of transferring it to the DNR. This acquisition is part of Pheasants Forever's ongoing efforts to expand public lands and wildlife habitats in northern Minnesota.
