Rapids Lake Education and Visitor Center
Phone: 952-854-5900 |
Please note that all public interpretive programs are led by trained volunteers and are subject to change or cancellation. Please call the program information line at 952.858.0721 for the latest information.
Programs
May
Bird Watching Trek
Date: Tuesday, May 15
Time: 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Place: Old Cedar Avenue Trailhead
Mid-May is the best time to see warblers in all their beautiful colors. Some years we have seen over 20 species of warblers during this
time of year. Join us and search for these beautiful little birds before they head north to their nesting grounds. Bring binoculars,
and dress for bugs, mud, rain, or sun.
Craig Mandel, Volunteer 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.
June
Making Tracks: National Trails Day Hike
Date: Saturday, June 2
Time: 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Place: Bloomington Visitor Center
Sense the pulse of migrating and year-round residents of Long Meadow Lake while improving your powers of observation and your health. We'll
take a long hike through the river valley and wind around the wetlands, exploring some of Minnesota Valley's best habitat. Come prepared
for brisk walking with frequent stops.
Judy Geck, Park Ranger
Bird Walk
Date: Saturday, June 2
Time: 8:30 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 water and bug spray. 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
Prairie in Bloom
Date: Saturday, June 2
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Place: Cliff Fen Trailhead
Prairie Phlox, Blue-eyed Grass, Blazing Stars, Ragwort, Black-eyed Susan, Butterfly Weed and Golden Alexanders are a few of the many
wildflowers that bloom on the prairie at the Black Dog Unit. Throughout the summer season the prairie flowers in bloom will change
each month. Join us in June and enjoy the early summer flowers of a season on a prairie.
Craig Mandel, Volunteer Refuge Naturalist
Bike and Hike
Date: Sunday, June 3
Time: 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Place: Bloomington Visitor Center
Did you know that the biodiversity of the Minnesota River Valley is equivalent to a rainforest? The Minnesota River provides critical habitat
for wildlife and a bicycle can transport you to great observation areas throughout the Minnesota Valley NWR. Ride with a Ranger through some
of the best habitat in the Minnesota River valley. By using designated trails you will minimize your impact on sensitive habitat, and by
riding to the refuge you can reduce your carbon footprint. Be prepared for riding and hiking on gravel trails with frequent stops for wildlife
observation. Bring your own bike and gear.
Judy Geck, Park Ranger
Bird Watching Trek
Date: Sunday, June 3
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Place: Rapids Lake Education and Visitor Center
Join us for a bird walk on one of the many refuge units and learn about the birds that nest on the refuge and in Minnesota. With a variety of
habitats at the different units, you will want to explore them all. During these walks we will search for some of the Flycatchers, Warblers and
Sparrows and other song- birds that nest on the refuge. Eastern Wood-Pewee, Prothonotary Warbler, American Redstart and Grasshopper Sparrow
are a few of the species we will be looking for. Birders of all skill levels are welcome on these walks. Bring along your binoculars,
favorite field guide and dress appropriately for the weather.
Craig Mandel, Volunteer Refuge Naturalist
Beat the Heat: Sunday Film Series
Date: Sundays, June 3, 10, 17, 24
Time: 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Place: Bloomington Visitor Center
Come inside on Sunday afternoons to enjoy a comfortable hour of films featuring refuge favorites. There's something for everyone with
weekly themes, prize-winning documentaries, and great footage. Films may be checked out from the Minnesota Valley Resource Center for
FREE! Recommended for all ages.
June 3 - Outdoor Recreation
June 10 - Wetlands
June 17 - Managing Natural Resources
June 24 - Endangered Species
Morning Photo Hike
Date: Saturday, June 9
Time: 6:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
Place: Louisville Swamp Unit
Join us for a morning photo hike in the western portion of the Long Meadow Lake Unit. We will be looking for signs of wildlife,
dragonflies, and wildflowers. This will be a great opportunity to take some interesting macro shots. We will start early to take
advantage of the early light and the morning dew. Anyone interested in landscape or macro photography can attend.
Equipment Needed:
• DSLR with either a macro lens, close-up filters, or extension tubes, or a point and shoot camera with a macro setting
• Tripod
• Sturdy footwear for hiking the trails
• Insect repellant
• Water
Don Tredinnick, Volunteer Refuge Naturalist
Bird Walk
Date: Saturday, June 9
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Place: Rapids Lake Education and 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 a new day comes to the refuge. This outing involves several miles of walking
trails at a slow pace. Dress for the weather, bring water and bug spray. 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
Humans for Lunch! Insect Bites and Prevention
Date: Sat. June 9
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Place: Bloomington Hillside Amphitheatre
If you're wondering why mosquito bites itch, horsefly bites hurt, and blackfly bites bleed, here’s a look at the specialized mouthparts of
biting insects. Discover how, when, and where insects use their eating utensils and learn how to avoid becoming the next main course.
Judy Geck, Park Ranger
Bird Watching Trek
Date: Sunday, June 10
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Place: Louisville Swamp Unit
Join us for a bird walk on one of the many refuge units and learn about the birds that nest on the refuge and in Minnesota. With a variety
of habitats at the different units, you will want to explore them all. During these walks we will search for some of the Flycatchers,
Warblers and Sparrows and other song-birds that nest on the refuge. Eastern Wood-Pewee, Prothonotary Warbler, American Redstart and
Grasshopper Sparrow are a few of the species we will be looking for. Birders of all skill levels are welcome on these walks. Bring
along your binoculars, favorite field guide and dress appropriately for the weather.
Craig Mandel, Volunteer Refuge Naturalist
Refuge Ramble: Songbirds
Date: Sunday, June 10
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Place: Rapids Lake Education and Visitor Center
Bird watching is an activity that your whole family can enjoy together. Come to the Refuge to learn how to identify birds through sight
and sound, followed by an outdoor hike where you can practice your newly learned birding skills.
Katie Laughlin, Park Ranger
Paddle with Ranger Judy
Date: Monday, June 11
Time: 5:45 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.
Place: Thompson Ferry Landing, Jordan
Join Ranger Judy for a paddle-with-a-view on the Minnesota River. On this guided excursion we'll explore the Minnesota Valley National
Wildlife refuge from the water and discover some of the best wildlife habitat around! Provide your own canoe or kayak, equipment,
and PFD. We'll paddle upstream and downstream with no shuttling. Basic paddling skills are required. Trip length is dependent on
skill level and weather. Call Judy at 952-858-0731 for more information.
Judy Geck, Park Ranger
Bird Watching for Beginners
Date: Sunday, June 17
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Place: Rapids Lake Education and Visitor Center
Bird Watching is a hobby enjoyed by millions of Americans, and you can learn how to enjoy it as well from a professional birder. You will
learn how to find birds in their different habitats and will learn how to use a field guide and look for identifying features of birds
such as eye rings, wing bars, and other distinctive markings. Summer is an exciting time to study the resident birds, as they are
nesting and you can observe all kinds of interesting behavior and plumages. Dress for the weather and bring along your binoculars.
There will be extra binoculars to loan if you don't have any.
Craig Mandel, Volunteer Refuge Naturalist
Going Wild: Rail to Refuge
Date: Monday, June 18
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Place: Nicollet Mall Light Rail Station in downtown Minneapolis
Ride with a Ranger on the Hiawatha Light Rail and find out how easy it is to access one of our wildest natural areas via mass transit. Explore
the Twin Cities' unique urban network of communities and public lands and discover how you can appreciate and enjoy diverse and easily accessible
natural areas. Visit the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge and learn about the long history of natural resource conservation in
this major metropolitan area. Meet at the Nicollet Mall Light Rail Station in downtown Minneapolis and come prepared for a scenic tour,
Ranger program, and guided hike on the refuge.
Adult fares are $1.75-$2.25.
Judy Geck, Park Ranger
Refuge Readers
Date: Tuesday, June 19
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Place: Bloomington and Rapids Lake Visitor Centers
Join the summer Refuge book club for fun-filled reading adventures! Read the selected books on your own, then join us to discuss each
book followed by a fun outdoor activity related to the story.
Click here for registration information
The Magic of Microscopes
Date: Wednesday, June 20
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Place: Bloomington Visitor Center
How does a grasshopper cling to grass stems? What does the inside of a plant look like? We will use microscopes to learn the answers to
these questions and more as families search for interesting objects they find in nature, and then use microscopes to explore the tiny
details of each of their specimens. Especially for school aged children and their families.
Marcia Lewis, Volunteer Refuge Naturalist
Refuge Ramble: Summer
Date: Sunday, June 24
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Place: Rapids Lake Education and Visitor Center
Look up, down, and all around the refuge to discover what species of wildlife are making appearances during the summer. Practice using
binoculars and field guides to see how many species you can spot and correctly identify out on the refuge trails.
Katie Laughlin, Park Ranger
Wild Writers! Art in Nature
Date: Saturday, June 30
Time: 9:30 s.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Place: Bloomington Visitor Center
Discover how to make a difference -- and a future -- for human and wildlife habitat through literature. We will discuss a variety of books for
pleasure and inspiration, activity and program planning, special events, and skill development-all nurturing a land ethic. Learn how to use the
MN Valley Resource Center to expand your horizons. For book and nature lovers, families, and educators who want to make meaningful connections
with the natural world.
Judy Geck, Park Ranger
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
Beat the Heat: Sunday Film Series
Date: Sundays, July 1, 8, 15, 22, 19
Time: 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Place: Bloomington Visitor Center
Come inside on Sunday afternoons to enjoy a comfortable hour of films featuring refuge favorites. There's something for everyone with weekly
themes, prize-winning documentaries, and great footage. Films may be checked out from the Minnesota Valley Resource Center for FREE!
Recommended for all ages.
July 1 - Turtles of the World
July 8 - Green fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for Our Time
July 15 - Parts of a Plant
July 22 - Incredible Insects
July 29 - Jane Goodall and John James Audubon
Prairie in Bloom
Date: Saturday, July 7
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Place: Cliff Fen Trailhead
Prairie Phlox, Blue-eyed Grass, Blazing Stars, Ragwort, Black-eyed Susan, Butterfly Weed and Golden Alexanders are a few of the many
wildflowers that bloom on the prairie at the Black Dog Unit. Throughout the summer season the prairie flowers in bloom will change
each month. Join us in July and enjoy the mid-summer flowers of a season on a prairie.
Craig Mandel, Volunteer Refuge Naturalist
Wild Writers! Natural History
Date: Saturday, July 7
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Place: Bloomington Visitor Center
Discover how to make a difference -- and a future -- for human and wildlife habitat through literature. We will discuss a variety of books for
pleasure and inspiration, activity and program planning, special events, and skill development-all nurturing a land ethic. Learn how to use
the MN Valley Resource Center to expand your horizons. For book and nature lovers, families, and educators who want to make meaningful
connections with the natural world.
Judy Geck, Park Ranger
Refuge Ramble: Compass Craze
Date: Sunday, July 8
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Place: Rapids Lake Education and Visitor Center
Tired of not knowing where you're going? Then stop by the refuge to learn the basics of the compass. After learning how a compass works and how
to use it there will be an outdoor activity to practice your new compass skills.
Bird Watching Trek
Date: Monday, July 9
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Place: Wilkie Unit
Join us for a bird walk on one of the many refuge units and learn about the birds that nest on the refuge and in Minnesota. With a variety
of habitats at the different units, you will want to explore them all. During these walks we will search for some of the Flycatchers, Warblers
and Sparrows and other song- birds that nest on the refuge. Eastern Wood-Pewee, Prothonotary Warbler, American Redstart and Grasshopper
Sparrow are a few of the species we will be looking for. Birders of all skill levels are welcome on these walks. Bring along your binoculars,
favorite field guide and dress appropriately for the weather.
Craig Mandel, Volunteer Refuge Naturalist
Bike and Hike
Date: Saturday, July 14
Time: 7:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
Place: Bloomington Visitor Center
Did you know that the biodiversity of the Minnesota River Valley is equivalent to a rainforest? The Minnesota River provides critical
habitat for wildlife and a bicycle can transport you to great observation areas throughout the Minnesota Valley NWR. Ride with a
Ranger through some of the best habitat in the Minnesota River valley. By using designated trails you will minimize your impact on
sensitive habitat, and by riding to the refuge you can reduce your carbon footprint. Be prepared for riding and hiking on gravel
trails with frequent stops for wildlife observation. Bring your own bike and gear.
Judy Geck, Park Ranger
Bird Walk
Date: Saturday, July 14
Time: 8:30 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 water and bug spray. 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 for Beginners
Date: Sunday, July 15
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Place: Old Cedar Avenue Trailhead
Bird Watching is a hobby enjoyed by millions of Americans, and you can learn how to enjoy it as well from a professional birder. You will
learn how to find birds in their different habitats and will learn how to use a field guide and look for identifying features of birds
such as eye rings, wing bars, and other distinctive markings. Summer is an exciting time to study the resident birds, as they are
nesting and you can observe all kinds of interesting behavior and plumages. Dress for the weather and bring along your binoculars.
There will be extra binoculars to loan if you don't have any.
Craig Mandel, Volunteer Refuge Naturalist
Bird Watching Trek
Date: Monday, July 16
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Place: Old Cedar Avenue Trailhead
Join us for a bird walk on one of the many refuge units and learn about the birds that nest on the refuge and in Minnesota. With a variety of
habitats at the different units, you will want to explore them all. During these walks we will search for some of the Flycatchers, Warblers
and Sparrows and other song- birds that nest on the refuge. Eastern Wood-Pewee, Prothonotary Warbler, American Redstart and Grasshopper
Sparrow are a few of the species we will be looking for. Birders of all skill levels are welcome on these walks. Bring along your
binoculars, favorite field guide and dress appropriately for the weather.
Craig Mandel, Volunteer Refuge Naturalist
Paddle with Ranger Judy
Date: Monday, July 16
Time: 5:45 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.
Place: Jens Casperson Landing, Eagan
Join Ranger Judy for a paddle-with-a-view on the Minnesota River. On this guided excursion we’ll explore the Minnesota Valley National
Wildlife refuge from the water and discover some of the best wildlife habitat around! Provide your own canoe or kayak, equipment, and PFD.
We'll paddle upstream and downstream with no shuttling. Basic paddling skills are required. Trip length is dependent on skill level and weather.
Call Judy at 952-858-0731 for more information.
Judy Geck, Park Ranger
Refuge Readers
Date: Tuesday, July 17
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Place: Bloomington and Rapids Lake Visitor Centers
Join the summer Refuge book club for fun-filled reading adventures! Read the selected books on your own, then join us to discuss each
book followed by a fun outdoor activity related to the story.
Click here for registration information
Making Tracks: Over the River and through the Forest Floodplain
Date: Wednesday, July 18
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Place: Bloomington Visitor Center
Sense the pulse of migrating and year-round residents of Long Meadow Lake while improving your powers of observation and your health.
We'll take a long hike through the river valley and wind around the wetlands, exploring some of Minnesota Valley's best habitat. Come
prepared for brisk walking with frequent stops.
Judy Geck, Park Ranger
Crawly Critters
Date: Wednesday, July 18
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Place: Bloomington Visitor Center
Immerse yourself in the prairie and catch bugs that hop, crawl, fly, and slither! We will be using nets and jars to catch the critters
of the prairie. Perfect for school-aged children and their families!
Marcia Lewis, Refuge Volunteer Naturalist
Bird Walk
Date: Saturday, July 21
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Place: Rapids Lake Education and 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 a new day comes to the refuge. This outing involves several miles of walking trails
at a slow pace. Dress for the weather, bring water and bug spray. 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
Refuge Ramble: Nature Photography
Date: Sunday, July 22
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Place: Rapids Lake Education and Visitor Center
Here's your chance to experience nature in a whole new way. Come to the refuge to capture nature’s beauty through photography. Whether
novice or experienced, this program is fun for people of all ages!
Katie Laughlin, Park Ranger
How to Photograph Nature
Date: Saturday, July 28
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Place: Bloomington Visitor Center
Come and spend the morning and learn about the exciting world of nature photography. Discover some of the great subject matter that the refuge
has to offer. We will discuss techniques for photographing landscapes, animals, and flowers. The program will cover some of the basics of
composition, light, and subject matter. We will start in the classroom, and then go out in the field to practice. The program will conclude
with a question and answer session. This class is especially for beginners! Bring any type of camera, sunscreen, insect repellant, and
wear shoes that can get wet and muddy!
Don Tredinnick, Volunteer 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
Beat the Heat: Sunday Film Series
Date: Sundays, August 5, 12, 19, 26
Time: 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Place: Bloomington Visitor Center
Come inside on Sunday afternoons to enjoy a comfortable hour of films featuring refuge favorites. There's something for everyone with weekly
themes, prize-winning documentaries, and great footage. Films may be checked out from the Minnesota Valley Resource Center for FREE!
Recommended for all ages.
August 5 - Animal Adaptations
August 12 - Big Nests, Big Birds
August 19 - Global Diversity-The Galapagos
August 26 - Creatures of the Night
Making Tracks: Below the Bluff
Date: Tuesday, August 7
Time: 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Place: Old Cedar Avenue Trailhead
Sense the pulse of migrating and year-round residents of Long Meadow Lake while improving your powers of observation and your health.
We'll take a long hike through the river valley and wind around the wetlands, exploring some of Minnesota Valley's best habitat. Come
prepared for brisk walking with frequent stops.
Judy Geck, Park Ranger
Bird Walk
Date: Saturday, August 11
Time: 8:30 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 dope 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
Defined by Nature: Natural and Cultural History of the Twin Cities
Date: Saturday, August 11
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Place: Bloomington Visitor Center
The Twin Cities is home to millions of people and hundreds of species of wildlife. Explore the natural history that created this unique urban
network of wildlife and human habitat. Whether you're downtown, at home, or in the suburbs, discover how you can appreciate and enjoy our
diverse and easily accessible natural areas, and learn about the long history of natural resource conservation in this major metropolitan area.
Judy Geck, Park Ranger
Refuge Ramble: Prairie Wildflowers
Date: Sunday, August 12
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Place: Rapids Lake Education and Visitor Center
Prairie wildflowers can make any landscape look like a work of art; but they serve more purpose than just aesthetics. Stop out to the refuge for
an informative hike to learn how to identify wildflowers and to see why they're such an integral part of the landscape.
Katie Laughlin, Park Ranger
Bike and Hike
Date: Sunday, August 12
Time: 7:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
Place: Bloomington Visitor Center
Did you know that the biodiversity of the Minnesota River Valley is equivalent to a rainforest? The Minnesota River provides critical habitat
for wildlife and a bicycle can transport you to great observation areas throughout the Minnesota Valley NWR. Ride with a Ranger through some of
the best habitat in the Minnesota River valley. By using designated trails you will minimize your impact on sensitive habitat, and by riding
to the refuge you can reduce your carbon footprint. Be prepared for riding and hiking on gravel trails with frequent stops for wildlife
observation. Bring your own bike and gear.
Judy Geck, Park Ranger
Bird Watching Trek
Date: Monday, August 13
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Place: Old Cedar Avenue Trailhead
Join us for a bird walk on one of the many refuge units and learn about the birds that nest on the refuge and in Minnesota. With a variety of
habitats at the different units, you will want to explore them all. During these walks we will search for some of the Flycatchers, Warblers
and Sparrows and other song- birds that nest on the refuge. Eastern Wood-Pewee, Prothonotary Warbler, American Redstart and Grasshopper
Sparrow are a few of the species we will be looking for. Birders of all skill levels are welcome on these walks. Bring along your binoculars,
favorite field guide and dress appropriately for the weather.
Craig Mandel, Volunteer Refuge Naturalist
Refuge Readers
Date: Tuesday, August 14
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Place: Bloomington and Rapids Lake Visitor Centers
Join the summer Refuge book club for fun-filled reading adventures! Read the selected books on your own, then join us to discuss each book
followed by a fun outdoor activity related to the story.
Click here for registration information
Changing Perspectives
Date: Wednesday, August 15
Time:9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Place: Bloomington Visitor Center
Come hike the trails as summer unfolds in the Refuge. This adventure doesn't require 3-D glasses but does promise to change your perspective
as you experience nature. Suitable for families with children ages 5 and up.
Marcia Lewis, Refuge Volunteer Naturalist
Bird Walk
Date: Saturday, August 18
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Place: Rapids Lake Education and 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 a new day comes to the refuge. This outing involves several miles of walking trails
at a slow pace. Dress for the weather, bring water and bug spray. 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
Prairie in Bloom
Date: Saturday, August 18
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Place: Cliff Fen Trailhead
Prairie Phlox, Blue-eyed Grass, Blazing Stars, Ragwort, Black-eyed Susan, Butterfly Weed and Golden Alexanders are a few of the many wildflowers
that bloom on the prairie at the Black Dog Unit. Throughout the summer season the prairie flowers in bloom will change each month. Join us in
July and enjoy the late summer flowers of a season on a prairie.
Craig Mandel, Volunteer Refuge Naturalist
Wild Writers! Using Common Sense(s)
Date: Saturday, August 18
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Place: Bloomington Visitor Center
Discover how to make a difference -- and a future -- for human and wildlife habitat through literature. We will discuss a variety of books for
pleasure and inspiration, activity and program planning, special events, and skill development-all nurturing a land ethic. Learn how to use the
MN Valley Resource Center to expand your horizons. For book and nature lovers, families, and educators who want to make meaningful connections
with the natural world.
Judy Geck, Park Ranger
Bird Watching Trek
Date: Sunday, August 19
Time: 8:00 a.m. -10:30 a.m.
Place: Wilkie Unit
Join us for a bird walk on one of the many refuge units and learn about the birds that nest on the refuge and in Minnesota. With a variety
of habitats at the different units, you will want to explore them all. During these walks we will search for some of the Flycatchers,
Warblers and Sparrows and other song-birds that nest on the refuge. Eastern Wood-Pewee, Prothonotary Warbler, American Redstart and
Grasshopper Sparrow are a few of the species we will be looking for. Birders of all skill levels are welcome on these walks. Bring along your
binoculars, favorite field guide and dress appropriately for the weather.
Craig Mandel, Volunteer Refuge Naturalist
Going Wild: Rail to Refuge
Date: Monday, August 20
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Place: Nicollet Mall Light Rail Station in downtown Minneapolis
Ride with a Ranger on the Hiawatha Light Rail and find out how easy it is to access one of our wildest natural areas via mass transit. Explore
the Twin Cities' unique urban network of communities and public lands and discover how you can appreciate and enjoy diverse and easily
accessible natural areas. Visit the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge and learn about the long history of natural resource conservation
in this major metropolitan area. Meet at the Nicollet Mall Light Rail Station in downtown Minneapolis and come prepared for a scenic tour,
Ranger program, and guided hike on the refuge.
Adult fares are $1.75-$2.25.
Judy Geck, Park Ranger
Bird Watching for Beginners
Date: Saturday, August 25
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Place: Rapids Lake Education and Visitor Center
Bird Watching is a hobby enjoyed by millions of Americans, and you can learn how to enjoy it as well from a professional birder. You
will learn how to find birds in their different habitats and will learn how to use a field guide and look for identifying features of birds
such as eye rings, wing bars, and other distinctive markings. Summer is an exciting time to study the resident birds, as they are nesting
and you can observe all kinds of interesting behavior and plumages. Dress for the weather and bring along your binoculars. There will be
extra binoculars to loan if you don't have any.
Craig Mandel, Volunteer Refuge Naturalist
Refuge Ramble: Nature Journaling
Date: Sunday, August 26
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Place: Rapids Lake Education and Visitor Center
Come out to the refuge to get some exciting ideas on how to keep a nature journal. We will practice various journaling techniques while
enjoying nature's beauty out on the refuge trails. This program is fun for the whole family!
Katie Laughlin, Park Ranger
Bird Watching Trek
Date: Monday, August 27
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Place: Old Cedar Avenue Trailhead
Join us for a bird walk on one of the many refuge units and learn about the birds that nest on the refuge and in Minnesota. With a variety
of habitats at the different units, you will want to explore them all. During these walks we will search for some of the Flycatchers,
Warblers and Sparrows and other song-birds that nest on the refuge. Eastern Wood-Pewee, Prothonotary Warbler, American Redstart and
Grasshopper Sparrow are a few of the species we will be looking for. Birders of all skill levels are welcome on these walks. Bring along
your binoculars, favorite field guide and dress appropriately for the weather.
Craig Mandel, Volunteer Refuge Naturalist
 Sandra Muzzy |
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
"Trinkets from Nature's Trove" by Sandra Muzzy opens on April 1, 2012 and runs through May 31. Sandra’s exhibit will include acrylics and watercolors of close-up views of found natural objects. Over the years she has gravitated to the Natural World. Sandra has studied Horticulture and Landscape planning, worked in Nurseries and Florist shops and spent many hours digging in the garden. Nowadays much of her time is spent trying to capture, up close and on paper, those things in the natural world that intrigue her the most. The repetition of simple organic patterns and shapes are reflected in Sandra’s paintings from debris on the ground all the way up to the nests in the trees. What catches her fancy is sometimes a spring ephemeral, maybe a hardy weed in the cracks or even a feather dropped by a busy bird on its way to more important tasks. These simple objects are so easy to overlook in our daily bustle. Sandra’s art brings you up close to these treasures and asks you to take the time to enjoy them.
Sandra lives and works in Bloomington, Minnesota. She has a home studio just outside her back door and is a full time artist, making a living selling her artwork and teaching students how to paint. Sandra has about 40 private students and also teaches watercolor journaling at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and the Eloise Butler Wildflower Reserve in Minneapolis. She has taught many workshops around Minnesota. Sandra’s work can also be seen at www.sandramuzzy.com.
An artist reception will be held on Sunday, April 29 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
