Posts by heidib
Big Changes to a Little Island
Many long-time Winona, MN residents grew up enjoying the beach on Mosquito Island, a small, non-descript piece of land in the Mississippi River located a short boat ride downstream of town. Over time, wind and waves took their toll and eroded the island away to a fraction of its former glory. But, during the fall…
Read MoreLooking 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 18 and end Friday, August 10, 2018. Crew members will work a 40-hour week, Monday through Friday, 7:30…
Read MoreBlue Moon Hike
You are invited to join Refuge Ranger Ed on a hike to enjoy the last blue moon of 2018. The hike will begin at the Mertes’ Slough Landing at 7:00 p.m. and end by 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 31, 2018. Ranger Ed will share stories of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, the…
Read MoreNews Release from the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge
NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY: Four (4) Compatibility Determinations (CDs) which evaluate various economic and/or commercial uses of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge (Refuge), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) are available for public comment from March 9 through April 9, 2018. The draft CDs re-evaluate the following uses of the Refuge: Commercial Fishing Floats Commercially…
Read MoreHelp Survey Great Blue Heron Nests
Friends and Volunteers, this is the time of year when the Refuge surveys the number of great blue heron nests and nest trees in the rookeries. Participants will walk from the Mertes’ landing, across the ice about 1/3 mile, to the heron colony and then walk around on the island. This activity involves a fair amount…
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