Welcome from the Friends of the Refuge Headwaters

News and Events

Ice Fishing for Kids

February 3, 2022

The annual Kid’s Ice Fishing Event co-sponsored by the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge (Refuge) and Friends of the Refuge Headwaters is scheduled for Saturday, February 19, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. to noon at the McNally Boat Landing on Prairie Island Drive, Winona, MN. Children ages 6 through 13 and their families…

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Friends January Meeting

January 20, 2022

Refuge Friends and Volunteers, the next meeting of the Friends of the Refuge Headwaters will be held at the Refuge Office (102 Walnut Street, Suite 205) beginning at 4:15 p.m. on Thursday, January 27th. Masks will be required. If you would like to attend but are not comfortable meeting in person, a virtual option will…

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Winners Announced in Friends of the Refuge Headwaters 2021 Summer and Fall on Our Refuge Photo Contest

January 11, 2022

Winners in four categories were chosen by judges in the Friends of the Refuge Headwaters’ (FORH) Summer and Fall on Our Refuge Photo Contest. Submitted photos were taken on Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge or Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge. There were 55 incredible entries from 15 photographers making judging a challenging task.…

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Refuge Volunteer of the Year Selected

November 26, 2021

From Mary Stefanski I am so pleased to announce that Lori Packer has been selected as the Refuge Volunteer of the Year! Those who know Lori understand how much she loves nature and enjoys being outdoors. You may have seen her shoveling snow last winter at the local boat landings or staining wood at the…

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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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