The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has accepted a 553-acre land donation in northeastern Freeborn County that will be turned into a wildlife management area.

The land, in the central part of Newry Township on the Mower County line, will be available for the conservation of wildlife and wildlife habitat and for outdoor recreation, according to a letter from the DNR to the Freeborn County Board of Commissioners.

The land will be open to public hunting, trapping, wildlife study and nature observation.

The letter stated DNR officials will plant native grasses and wildflowers and restore wetlands on the land.

As a government parcel, no taxes will be paid to the county for the property.

Freeborn County commissioners heard an update about the land from Area Wildlife Manager Jeanine Vorland at their Tuesday board meeting.