2022 Swan Watch
The Friends of the Refuge Headwaters will offer a bus tour to view the fall migration and changing colors of the Upper Mississippi River from 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 15, 2022. This will be the first offering of the tour since 2019 so reserve your seats early! Participants will have the opportunity to…
Read MoreAvailability of Trapping Permits for the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that Refuge special use permits and trap tags for the 2022-2023 furbearer trapping season on the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge (Refuge) will be issued beginning October 5, 2022. District offices are currently open to the public at the days and times listed below…
Read MoreUpper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Recognizes Volunteers
The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge (Refuge) Winona offices recently recognized Tim Connolly of Pickwick, MN as the 2022 Volunteer of the Year. Tim volunteers his time helping with fishing events, picking up trash, and completing European buckthorn removal around the Refuge boat landings over the winter. While volunteer opportunities were limited…
Read MoreFriends September Meeting
The next Friends of the Refuge Headwaters meeting will take place at the Hiawatha Valley Marines Shelter on West Lake Winona on Thursday, September 22 beginning at 4:15 p.m. Click here for the agenda. See you there!
Read MoreRefuge Updates
Volunteers Needed: Our next (and final for the year) Project COMPASS fishing event will be on Wednesday, September 7 at the Huff Street fishing dock (by the Winona Visitor Center). The event takes place from 5:00 – 6:15 p.m., please arrive around 4:30 to help with setup. This is a fishing-only event, no food is served…
Read MoreFriends August Meeting
The next Friends of the Refuge Headwaters meeting will be held on Thursday, August 25 beginning at 4:15 p.m. at the Hiawatha Valley Marines Shelter on West Lake Winona (Dacota Street). Click here for the tentative agenda. And as a reminder, the Friends will be the special recipients of the Jazz Jam “tip jar” at…
Read MoreAugust Jazz Jam Supports Friends of the Refuge Headwaters
Whether you paddle, hike, fish, or love birds, the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge in Winona’s backyard is a world-class wildlife area that also offers fantastic recreation opportunities. This month’s Jazz Jam at Island City Brewing Company on Sunday, August 21, 2022, from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. will support the Friends of…
Read MoreAmphibians and Reptiles Presentation by Allen Blake Sheldon
Friends of Trempealeau Refuge are hosting a presentation of Allen Blake Sheldon. This free program will be on Thursday, August 11th starting at 6:30pm at the Outdoor Wonders Learning Center, Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge. Trempealeau resident Sheldon will be introducing his recently released book Amphibians and Reptiles of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. Adults and students…
Read MoreFriends July Meeting
The next regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Friends of the Refuge Headwaters is Thursday, July 28. The meeting will be held at the Hiawatha Valley Marine Shelter on Lake West Winona near the boat ramp on Dacota Street. The meeting begins at 4:15pm and ends around 5:30. Click here for the agenda.
Read MoreRefuge Updates
Friend and Volunteer Sue O’Brien led a great paddling event last week and will be offering another one on Thursday, August 4 beginning at 9:30am from the Verchota Landing on the Prairie Island Dike. Registration is required by contacting Leslie Watson. Click here for details. Ranger Katie from the LaCrosse District will be offering a…
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