Volunteers Needed for Project Compass Fishing Events

It has been a long-standing tradition for the Refuge to partner with Project Compass to offer annual fishing events for clients of the program. This is always a heart-warming and memorable experience for those who participate. This spring, we will be fishing with the Project Compass on Wednesday, May 29 from 5:00 – 6:15 p.m.…

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Decoding the Driftless – Film Presentation

The Friends of the Refuge Headwaters (Friends) are teaming up with the Frozen River Film Festival to present Decoding the Driftless at the Winona History Center on Thursday, June 6, 2019. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the film will begin at 7:00 p.m., followed by a question and answer session with filmmaker George Howe.…

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Celebrate National Trails Day on the Mississippi River Backwaters

A National Trails Day paddling outing through the backwaters of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge (Refuge) will be led by Refuge Ranger Ed Lagace on Saturday, June 1, 2019. Paddlers of all abilities are welcome to join this fun and free event which will launch from the Finger Lakes Pioneer Access…

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News from Mary Stefanski

Refuge Friends and Volunteers, We’re still watching the river water go down in hopes that we can get our field season kicked off and get some volunteer opportunities available. For those who live in or near Buffalo City, the annual river cleanup is scheduled for this Saturday, May 11 from 8:00 – 11:30 a.m. There…

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Teacher Workshop at Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge

When: Tuesday, April 16, 2019 9am-3pm Where: Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge: W28488 Refuge Rd, Trempealeau, WI 54661 Admission: $25 Would you like an opportunity to utilize a beautiful facility and resources, set in one of most scenic landscapes in Wisconsin for FREE? Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge (Trempealeau NWR) staff encourage local teachers to take advantage…

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Bald Eagle Rescue

On Wednesday, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Ranger Ed Lagacé assisted in the rescue of an injured bald eagle on the banks of the Mississippi near Dresbach. Details and a video can be found here: Winona Daily News: Injured bald eagle rescued along Mississippi River near Dresbach or on the Winona Daily News Facebook Page…

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Job Opportunities

The Winona District of USFWS is advertising for three Pathways Bio Techs and one Pathways Park Ranger. The Pathways program is designed to offer entry level paid internships to college students looking to work in natural resources.  Please share the links below with anyone who might be interested. These positions are only open to current…

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Looking for a Job this Summer?

The Winona District of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge (Refuge) will be hiring four students this summer to work on a Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) crew. The YCC program will begin Monday, June 10 and end Friday, August 2, 2019. Crew members will work a 40-hour week, Monday through Friday, 7:30…

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Kids Ice Fishing Event

The annual Kid’s Ice Fishing Event co-sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Friends of the Refuge Headwaters is scheduled for Saturday, February 23, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. to noon at the McNally Boat Landing on Prairie Island Drive, Winona, MN. Children ages 6 through 13 and their families are invited to join…

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Tree Planting Assistance Needed – Saturday, 11/10/18

Friends and Volunteers, Through a partnership with Audubon, Forester Andy Beebe will be planting bare root trees (little trees) and tree seeds near the Weaver Landing on Saturday, Nov 10 starting at 9:00 a.m.. A few students from Winona State University are assisting but more hands will make it go much quicker. If you are…

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