Winners Announced in Friends of the Refuge Headwaters 2020 Photo Contest
It took several months but we were finally able to arrange an outdoor judging to select the winners of the 2020 Winter on our Refuge Photo Contest. A big thank you to our judges, Rick Frietsche and John Weiss, both of Rochester, and Heidi Bryant of Winona, for their time and keen eye in selecting the winners….
Invasive Species Alert – Your Help is Requested
Friends and Volunteers, we are experiencing an inundation of yet another invasive species known as flowering rush. Like many other invasive plants, it is beautiful but detrimental. Below is a news release and a photo of the plant. If you are on the river and see it, please let us know the location but, as…
No Fireworks Allowed on the “Upper Miss” Refuge
The 4th of July is just around the corner. If you are heading to the Mississippi River for a boating or camping trip, just a reminder – no fireworks are allowed on the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge (Refuge) because of their disturbance to wildlife as well as the litter they leave behind. …
News from the Refuge
We hope everyone is well and enjoying the outdoors as much as possible. We at the Refuge have been assured that field work will start up again in the near future and perhaps will lead to some volunteer opportunities once again. Unfortunately, we have cancelled all of the regular fishing events with Project Compass for…
A Message from Mary Stefanski
Friends and Volunteers, I hope this message finds you in good health and spirits. In my last message I said we were moving and we are now officially at 102 Walnut Street. Unfortunately, the open house/party will need to wait as none of us have been allowed to work on-site to unpack boxes or put…
Mississippi River Flooding Could Hamper Boat Access
The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge (Refuge), Winona District is urging boaters to take precautions in the coming days regarding flooding on the Mississippi River. Boaters should be vigilant as flood waters will have significantly changed conditions at traditional access, camping, and day-use sites. Excessive current, turbid water, and submerged and floating…
Winter on the Refuge Photo Contest – Judging Delayed
Thank you to everyone who submitted photos to the Winter on the Refuge Photo Contest! We are excited to view and judge all the photos, though due to the current COVID-19 situation we are postponing this activity. We hope to be able to judge and pick winners by July 1, 2020. Jennifer Froehly of the…
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Offices Relocate
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge (Refuge) offices previously located at 51 East 4th Street in Winona, MN have relocated. Beginning Monday, March 30, 2020 they are located at 102 Walnut Street in Winona. The Refuge Headquarters office which oversees the 260 mile refuge from Mississippi River…
March Meeting of the Friends Canceled
The regularly scheduled monthly Friends of the Refuge Headwaters meeting was scheduled for next Thursday, March 26. Given the health and wellness guidance currently in place for all of us, it has been decided that it is in everyone’s best interest to forgo this month’s meeting. We will hope for a better situation in April. …
Whitewater Master Naturalist Course
Friends and Volunteers, please see the flyer (right – click image to open .pdf) announcing the spring Master Naturalist training program offered by the University of Minnesota Extension at Whitewater State Park. If you have questions, please contact Whitewater State Park Lead Interpretive Naturalist Sara Holger at 507-312-2308 or by email at sara.holger@state.mn.us.
Questions? Email forhwinona@gmail.com
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