Upcoming Activities and Volunteer Opportunities

October 19th, Thursday – Bike/Hike in Trempealeau’s Wildlife Refuge, meet at the entrance parking lot across from the Hillside Fish House, 1-3 p.m. with Steve Winter. **Contact Steve at [email protected] as soon as possible, if interested. October 23rd, Monday – Trash Pickup on Prairie Island’s Dike Road, meet in the McNally Landing parking lot, 9 am –…

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September Friends Meeting

The next Friends regular monthly meeting will be held on Thursday, September 28th beginning at 4:15 pm in the Refuge Office (102 Walnut Street, Suite 205, Winona). Join us to learn more or to become a participant in planning upcoming events and activities on the refuge. Click for the meeting agenda and August meeting notes.…

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Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Recognizes Volunteers

The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge (Refuge) Winona office recently recognized John Lyons of Winona, MN as the 2023 Volunteer of the Year. John volunteers his time helping with fishing events, picking up litter, and installing Refuge signs. He has also been actively involved in the Friends of the Refuge Headwaters, serving…

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August Friends Meeting and Other News

The next regular meeting of the Friends of the Refuge Headwaters board will be Thursday, August 24 beginning at 4:15 p.m. at the Refuge office, 102 Walnut Street, Suite 205, Winona. The meetings are done by 5:30 and they are a great way to learn about, and be part of, upcoming events and activities. Click for the meeting…

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July Friends Meeting

The next regular meeting of the Friends of the Refuge Headwaters board will be Thursday, July 27 beginning at 4:15 p.m. at the Refuge office, 102 Walnut Street, Suite 205, Winona. Click for the meeting agenda and June meeting notes.

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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…

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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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