Refuge Update and June Meeting

A big “Thank You” to all the Friends and Volunteers who assisted with the Project COMPASS fishing event and picnic! We had a great turnout, and everyone had a fun time catching fish that evening. We hope to see many of you next Wednesday, June 21 for the Damsels and Dragons presentation at the Winona…

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Damsels and Dragons Program

The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge (Refuge) and Friends of the Refuge Headwaters (Friends) are co-sponsoring the program Damsels and Dragons of Wisconsin and Minnesota by naturalist and wildlife photographer Dan Jackson of Chaseburg, WI. The free program (donations welcome) will be held at the Winona History Center, 160 Johnson Street, Winona, MN, on Wednesday,…

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Refuge Fishing Location Change

Good morning Refuge Friends and Volunteers, due to a large tree, we will not be able to use the Hiawatha Valley Marine shelter and dock for the June 7 Project COMPASS fishing event. We will hold the event at the Kiwanis Shelter at the Spillway Landing on Prairie Island instead. This will mean shore-fishing instead…

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May Friends Meeting and Upcoming Events

Refuge Friends and Volunteers, please click for the Friends of the Refuge Headwaters minutes from the April 27 meeting and agenda for the upcoming May 25 meeting. Everyone is invited to attend and participate in the discussion. Next Thursday’s meeting will be held from 4:15 – 5:30 p.m. at the Refuge office, 102 Walnut Street, Suite…

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Refuge Update / Friends Meeting

Hello Refuge Friends and Volunteers! This is National Volunteer Week and furthermore Global Volunteer Month. A big “THANK YOU” to everyone who has volunteered their time to the Refuge and community to make this a better place. Last year you logged over 300 volunteer hours on the Refuge, we truly could not do what we do without…

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Friends March Meeting

The next regular meeting of the Friends of the Refuge Headwaters will be Thursday, March 3o, beginning at 4:15 p.m. at the Refuge office (102 Walnut Street, Suite 205). Click here for a PDF of the agenda. There are some fun events coming up if you want to be part of the planning process!

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Passing of Refuge Volunteer and Friends Member Beverly Spande

With a heavy heart we wanted to share that long-time volunteer and Friends Board Member Bev Spande passed away last week. You can find her full obituary here. Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 1, 2023 at Central Lutheran Church, Winona. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. at the church. Lunch will…

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Refuge Centennial Photo Contest – Call for Entries

The Friends of the Refuge Headwaters (FORH) are encouraging all amateur photographers to get outside and capture the beauty of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge (Refuge) for a Centennial photo contest. The Refuge, which was established in 1924 through the efforts of Will Dilg, founder of the Izaak Walton League of…

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Friends February Meeting

The next regular meeting of the Friends of the Refuge Headwaters will be Thursday, MARCH 2, beginning at 4:15 p.m. at the Refuge office (102 Walnut Street, Suite 205). Click here for a PDF of the agenda. There are some fun events coming up if you want to be part of the planning process! (The meeting…

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