June

Birds and Wildlife Walk
Date: Wednesday, June 4
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Place: Chaska Unit
Ages 7 to adult (under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult). Walk refuge trails to search for birds and other wildlife as night comes to the refuge. Dress for the weather, bring a water bottle and bug spray if needed. Bring your favorite field guide, binoculars and a spotting scope if you have one. We will have a few extra binoculars to loan. We will also bring a spotting scope and CD player for learning bird and frog calls.
Volunteer Refuge Naturalists George Skinner and Anne Hanley

Sense of Nature Hike
Date: Thursday, June 12
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Place: Bass Ponds Trailhead
School is out and summer is here! Rediscover nature through the five senses. Awaken your senses to the sights, smells, sounds, feel, and taste of nature as summer warms up the Refuge. Suitable for families with children ages 5 and up.
Led by Volunteer Master Naturalist Marcia Lewis

Birds and Wildlife Walk
Date: Saturday, June 14
Time: 7:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Place: Louisville Swamp Unit
Ages 7 to adult (under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult). Walk refuge trails to search for birds and other wildlife as a new day comes to the refuge. This outing involves several miles of walking trails at a slow pace. Dress for the weather, bring a water bottle and bug spray if needed. Bring your favorite field guide, binoculars and a spotting scope if you have one. We will have a few extra binoculars to loan. We will also bring a spotting scope and CD player for learning bird and frog calls.
Volunteer Refuge Naturalists George Skinner and Anne Hanley.

"The Pests You Love to Hate" DigitalNature Photo Hike
Date: Saturday, June 14th
Time: 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Place: Wilkie Unit
Join us for an informal nature hike as we share facts and opinions about those insidious yet crafty troublemakers: Ticks, Mosquitoes, and Viruses. What makes ticks tick? Is a virus alive? These questions and more await us at the Wilkie Unit. Bring a camera with a macro or close-up lens and we'll try to find some insects to get up close and chummy with. Bring your favorite flavor of bug repellent along with any folk remedies and buggy urban legends. Kids 12 and older are welcome, younger if they like bugs. Wear sturdy shoes or boots, high socks, and a cap.
Hosted by Tim Boyle, Refuge Volunteer Master Naturalist

Birds and Wildlife Walk
Date: Saturday, June 21
Time: 7:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Place: Rapids Lake Unit
Ages 7 to adult (under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult). Walk refuge trails to search for birds and other wildlife as a new day comes to the refuge. This outing involves several miles of walking trails at a slow pace. Dress for the weather, bring a water bottle and bug spray if needed. Bring your favorite field guide, binoculars and a spotting scope if you have one. We will have a few extra binoculars to loan. We will also bring a spotting scope and CD player for learning bird and frog calls.
Volunteer Refuge Naturalists George Skinner and Anne Hanley

For more information, call Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge at 952-854-5900. Please note that different programs take place at different locations on the refuge. Please visit the Refuge Lands page on the web site for directions to each area. Click on the Refuge Land on the map to see the specific directions.

July

Birds and Wildlife Walk
Date: Wednesday, July 9
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Place: Visitor Center
Ages 7 to adult (under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult). Walk refuge trails to search for birds and other wildlife as night comes to the refuge. Dress for the weather, bring a water bottle and bug spray if needed. Bring your favorite field guide, binoculars and a spotting scope if you have one. We will have a few extra binoculars to loan. We will also bring a spotting scope and CD player for learning bird and frog calls.
Volunteer Refuge Naturalists George Skinner and Anne Hanley

Wetland Safari
Date: Thursday, July 10
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Place: Bass Ponds Trailhead
Take a look at that quiet, empty pond of water. Now take a closer look - and you will find an entire world of small creatures living and thriving in that "empty" watery habitat. Take a turn at dip-netting to capture and study dragonfly nymphs, water striders, crayfish, and many more creatures that call the pond their home. Suitable for families with children ages 5 and up.
Led by Volunteer Master Naturalist Marcia Lewis

Bird Watching Trek
Date: Saturday, July 12
Time: 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Place: Rapids Lake Unit, Cty. Rd. 45 Trailhead
We will explore the Prairies, Oak Savannas, Flood Plain Forests, and Lakes. Join us to explore these habitats and learn about the diversity of species of birds associated with each habitat. Birders of all skill levels are welcome. Bring along your binoculars and favorite field guide.
Craig Mandel, Refuge Naturalist

"Landscapes & Sunsets" DigitalNature Photo Hike
Date: Saturday, July 12
Time: 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Place: Cliff Fen Park Trailhead
Come along as we take a short hike and stake out a nice spot to watch the sunset along the Refuge. We'll talk about photographic approaches to capturing landscapes and sunsets during the day and in failing evening light. All abilities are welcome, bring your camera along with a tripod if you can. Wear sturdy shoes, bug repellent, and dress for the weather. See you there! Red skies at night, photographer's delight!
Hosted by Tim Boyle, Refuge Volunteer Master Naturalist

Bird Watching Trek
Date: Saturday, July 26
Time: 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Place: Louisville Swamp Unit
We will explore the Prairies, Oak Savannas, Flood Plain Forests, and Lakes. Join us to explore these habitats and learn about the diversity of species of birds associated with each habitat. Birders of all skill levels are welcome. Bring along your binoculars and favorite field guide.
Craig Mandel, Refuge Naturalist

For more information, call Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge at 952-854-5900. Please note that different programs take place at different locations on the refuge. Please visit the Refuge Lands page on the web site for directions to each area. Click on the Refuge Land on the map to see the specific directions.

August

Wetland Safari
Date: Saturday August 2
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Place: Bass Ponds Trailhead
Take a look at that quiet, empty pond of water. Now take a closer look - and you will find an entire world of small creatures living and thriving in that "empty" watery habitat. Take a turn at dip-netting to capture and study dragonfly nymphs, water striders, crayfish, and many more creatures that call the pond their home. Suitable for families with children ages 5 and up.
Led by Volunteer Master Naturalist Marcia Lewis

Bird Watching Trek
Date: Saturday, August 2
Time: 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Place: Louisville Swamp Unit
We will explore the Prairies, Oak Savannas, Flood Plain Forests, and Lakes. Join us to explore these habitats and learn about the diversity of species of birds associated with each habitat. Birders of all skill levels are welcome. Bring along your binoculars and favorite field guide.
Craig Mandel, Refuge Naturalist

Birds and Wildlife Walk
Date: Wednesday, August 6
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Place: Old Cedar Ave.
Ages 7 to adult (under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult). Walk refuge trails to search for birds and other wildlife as night comes to the refuge. Dress for the weather, bring a water bottle and bug spray if needed. Bring your favorite field guide, binoculars and a spotting scope if you have one. We will have a few extra binoculars to loan. We will also bring a spotting scope and CD player for learning bird and frog calls.
Volunteer Refuge Naturalists George Skinner and Anne Hanley

"Things that GLOW in the Night Digital Nature Photo Hike"
Date: Saturday, August 9
Time: 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Place: Visitor Center trails
Ever wonder why things glow in the dark? Well, there has to be a reason for everything... um, right? Join us on a late summer's evening nature hike around the trails of the Long Meadow Unit where we'll ponder such things as fireflies, foxfire (fungus that glows, when it wants to!), scorpion skin, moonlight, phosphorescence and ultraviolet geology (yes, rocks can glow in the dark too) ... along with any local animals that may be about. And if the light's just right... we'll experience some of them with our own eyes. I encourage you to bring any glow-in-the-dark objects you have, or think you have, as I will be providing hand-held longwave UV lamps for everyone to check for a bit of the ultraviolet. You might also bring a conventional flashlight too, preferably one with AA batteries in case there is a shortage. Bring a camera too, and possibly a tripod. This is a photographic challenge bound to test your skills (or luck.)
Hosted by Tim Boyle, Refuge Volunteer Master Naturalist

Insect Investigation
Date: Tuesday, August 12
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Place: Bloomington Visitors Center
What creatures have a tough outer shell-like covering, three body parts, and six legs, and have been found on earth for 350 million years? INSECTS! Come investigate the prairie area outside the Visitors Center where many of these amazing animals make their home. Large and small, fliers and crawlers, brightly colored and almost invisible, insects are some of the most abundant and diverse animals on earth! Suitable for families with children ages 5 and up.
Led by Volunteer Master Naturalist Marcia Lewis

Birds and Wildlife Walk
Date: Saturday, August 16
Time: 7:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Place: Louisville Swamp Unit
Ages 7 to adult (under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult). Walk refuge trails to search for birds and other wildlife as a new day comes to the refuge. This outing involves several miles of walking trails at a slow pace. Dress for the weather, bring a water bottle and bug spray if needed. Bring your favorite field guide, binoculars and a spotting scope if you have one. We will have a few extra binoculars to loan. We will also bring a spotting scope and CD player for learning bird and frog calls.
Volunteer Refuge Naturalists George Skinner and Anne Hanley

Bird Watching Trek
Date: Saturday, August 23
Time: 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Place: Chaska Unit, South Trailhead
We will explore the Prairies, Oak Savannas, Flood Plain Forests, and Lakes. Join us to explore these habitats and learn about the diversity of species of birds associated with each habitat. Birders of all skill levels are welcome. Bring along your binoculars and favorite field guide.
Craig Mandel, Refuge Naturalist

For more information, call Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge at 952-854-5900. Please note that different programs take place at different locations on the refuge. Please visit the Refuge Lands page on the web site for directions to each area. Click on the Refuge Land on the map to see the specific directions.

Art Gallery Exhibit Schedule

"The Nature of Things: A Celebration of America's Wildlife and Wild Places" by Bernadette Gangell opens May 20 and runs through June 29. Bernadette's show will consist mainly of acrylic paintings of North American wildlife. As mankind continues to encroach on the world's places, Bernadette would like her art to be seen as a celebration of the beauty of nature and a visual plea for its preservation. In that spirit, she chooses to use her art to depict what remains rather than what has been lost.

"Trees" by Mary Lingen opens August 12 and runs through September 21. Mary's paintings celebrate the local landscapes around which she lives. This includes a woodland area near many small water bodies. In painting, Mary directs her attention towards the organization of the space, the relationships of the colors and shapes to each other, and the emotional quality of the color palette. She uses flat, unmodulated color areas, usually with crisp edges, but without machinelike precision. The landscapes are often broken down into geometric or simplified shapes, but these are painted by hand, with a natural imperfection. Mary's focus is on color rhythm and layers of pattern. She aims at creating works that set the viewer’s eyes and mind drifting along composition, taking a different path each time they sit with it.