Welcome from the Friends of the Refuge Headwaters
News and Events
Compatibility Determination Available for Public Review
NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY: Compatibility Determination, Transportation of Dredged Material, Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. A draft compatibility determination which evaluates the transportation of dredged material across lands and waters of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge (Refuge) is available for public comment. The compatibility determination does not evaluate the act…
Availability of Trapping Permits for the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge
In consideration of the on-going COVID 19 pandemic, in 2021, the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge (Refuge) is offering both a remote and in-person opportunity for Refuge trappers to receive the required Special Use Permit (SUP) and trap tags. SUP applications and instructions are available on-line at www.fws.gov/refuge/Upper_Mississippi_River/trapping.html. Trappers who choose the…
The good and the bad in backwater Shangri-La
Below is an article written by John Weiss. The good and the bad in backwater Shangri-La WEAVER — As I waited Monday morning to see how Weaver Bottoms fared this year, a time of near-record low flows, I thought of all the changes I’ve seen in it and wondered: which Weaver would I see today…
New Photo Contest and Other Opportunities
The Friends of the Refuge Headwaters are again sponsoring a photo contest. Photos should be taken during the summer or fall time periods on either the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge or Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge. Entry deadline is December 3, 2021, full details can be found in the attached brochure. Visit the…
Project COMPASS Fishing Event – Canceled
At the Friends monthly meeting last week, it was determined that the Project COMPASS fishing event scheduled for Sept 1 would be difficult to accomplish while maintaining social distancing guidelines. Thank you to everyone who volunteered to assist, hopefully, we will be able to hold our ice fishing event this year, more to come on…
Friends of the Refuge Headwaters August Meeting
The next Friends of the Refuge Headwaters (FORH) meeting will be held at the Hiawatha Valley Marine Shelter located at 527 West Lake Street in Winona beginning at 4:15 p.m. on Thursday, August 26. We have lots to talk about including the upcoming Project COMPASS fishing event and new photo contest. The meeting shouldn’t last…