Welcome from the Friends of the Refuge Headwaters

News and Events

Refuge Photo Contest Ending Soon 

November 20, 2021

The Friends of the Refuge Headwaters are reminding all amateur photographers that the deadline for accepting entries for the current photo contest is December 3, 2021. Photos that capture the summer and fall beauty of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge and Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) are part of the current…

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Swan Watching on the Upper Mississippi River

November 19, 2021

It’s been a slow start to the annual swan watching season on the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge (Refuge) but they are starting to arrive! The tundra swan migration is a highlight of the fall on the Refuge offering a once-a-year spectacle for all to enjoy. At their peak, which usually occurs…

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Information About Refuge Boat Landings Now Available

November 3, 2021

The Friends of the Refuge Headwaters wants you to get out and enjoy the refuge! To assist you with your planning, we have started a project that will provide information about the landings that you can visit. Three landings are currently available: McNally, Mertes, and Verchota. We will continue to update this list in coming…

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Swan Watch Self-Guided Tour Available

November 2, 2021

Because the Friends of the Refuge Headwaters annual swan watch bus tour will not be offered again in 2021, we have created a Swan Watch Self-Guided Tour to help you enjoy this tradition on your own. Peak migration is the second week of November. Click here to “take the tour.”

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Tree Planting at Weaver Landing

November 2, 2021

Mary Stefanski would like to share a few photos from the tree planting at Weaver on Tuesday, October 26, 2021. Thank you to everyone who was able to show up this morning and make really quick work of the nearly 70 trees and shrubs that needed to get in the ground. We couldn’t do it…

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Tree Planting Follow Up

October 24, 2021

We finally received the trees that we were hoping to plant last week. Tuesday morning (October 26th) is the best weather to get trees in the ground. We will meet at the Weaver Landing at 8:30am. Please let Mary Stefanski know if you are able to participate. Email: [email protected]

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