Share the Joy of Fishing on the Refuge

Wednesdays & Thursdays This Summer The National Eagle Center is angling for volunteers to assist participants in our summer fishing program! Volunteer duties will include: Helping with check-in, check-out Assisting with equipment selection Monitoring dock activity Helping bait hooks & land fish Encouraging and guiding kids (many first-time fishers!) Helping inspect equipment Sharing information about…

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May 2019 Friends Meeting

The monthly meeting of the Friends of the Refuge Headwaters is this Thursday, May 23 beginning at 4:10 p.m. The meeting takes place in the basement (Room 20) of the Exchange Building located at 51 East 4th Street in Winona, MN. The meeting will focus on the upcoming Friends/Frozen River Film Festival partner showing of the…

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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…

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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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