Welcome from the Friends of the Refuge Headwaters

News and Events

Four Final Signed Compatibility Determinations

June 4, 2018

Four (4) Compatibility Determinations (CDs) addressing various economic and/or commercial uses of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge (Refuge), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have been finalized. (**Note: the final CDs can be found directly using this link: https://www.fws.gov/nwrs/threecolumn.aspx?id=2147614047**) The four compatible uses include: Commercial Fishing Floats Commercially Guided Wildlife/Wildlands Observation Guided Sport…

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Fishing Events with Project Compass

May 18, 2018

Friends and Volunteers, we have two fishing events scheduled with Project Compass coming up soon in Winona. The first is next Wednesday, May 23 and the second is on Wednesday, June 6, both events are from 4:30 – 6:15 p.m. For those who are not aware, Project Compass is a Winona based program for adults…

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Rusty-Patched Bumble Bee Workshop

May 15, 2018

Rusty-Patched Bumble Bee Workshop Wednesday | May 30 | 8:30am-noon Upper Mississippi River NWFR La Crosse District Visitor Center Winona District Biologist Michelle Turton is offering a Rusty Patched Bumble Bee survey training on Wednesday, May 30 at the LaCrosse Visitor Center. The training is open to anyone interested in learning how to survey bumble…

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Paddle the Mississippi River Backwaters

May 3, 2018

You are invited to join Refuge Ranger Ed on a paddle through the backwaters of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge (Refuge) near Winona, MN. Join fellow paddlers on Saturday, May 19 at 2:00 p.m. at the McNally Landing for a two-hour adventure. This paddle is recommended for all experience levels. McNally…

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Arbor Day Event: Plant Trees on Mosquito Island

April 25, 2018

Saturday | May 5, 2018 | 9am – noon East End Boat Landing | 1250 E 4th St | Winona, MN In partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Friends of the Refuge Headwaters, come volunteer to help plant trees on Mosquito Island. Meet at the East…

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Big Changes to a Little Island

April 16, 2018

Many long-time Winona, MN residents grew up enjoying the beach on Mosquito Island, a small, non-descript piece of land in the Mississippi River located a short boat ride downstream of town. Over time, wind and waves took their toll and eroded the island away to a fraction of its former glory. But, during the fall…

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