Rapids Lake Education and Visitor Center 2008 Federal Duck Stamp Contest Phone: 952-854-5900 |
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Animals
2. Understanding Animals
At Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge you can see wildlife in many different places. Borrow binoculars or look through the spotting scope on the observation deck, go for a hike on one of the trails, or go on our Take the Tour interpretive program to find wildlife. Bring along a field guide to help you identify what you see.
4. Looks Mean Something
Take a hike on one of our trails to find the many different animals that call the Refuge home. Take a look at what habitat they live in: prairie, forest, and wetland.
Careers
3. Women Pioneers
In the past, wildlife management and many other science fields have had more men working in them than women. Today, however, many of the people working in the environmental field (including at Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge) are women. Talk to a female staff member or volunteer about working with wildlife. The Blufftop Bookshop also has several books about Rachel Carson. She was a pioneer in the field of environmental conservation.
Earth & Sky
3. Going, Going, Gone
Walk along the trails and the slopes for evidence of erosion and compare the differences between an eroded slope and a vegetative slope.
5. Creatures of the Air
Some good places to observe flying animals is the observation deck and inside the Visitor Center at the wildlife viewing area. Be quiet and still so you don't scare the animals away.
Eco-Explorer
1. Exploring Nature
Many living and non-living items can be found around the Visitor Centers. Hike a trail or go on our Take the Tour interpretive program to see what you can find. Be sure to leave objects where you find them.
5. Speak Up for Animals!
Reserve our Suitcase for Survival Resource Trunk from our resource library to learn about the illegal wildlife trade of endangered species. This trunk includes a collection of illegally imported artifacts confiscated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as well as a slideshow and wildlife education packet. Pick one of the species highlighted in the trunk and learn more about.
6. Helping Wildlife
Many of the suggested activities are things we do here on the refuge. Stop by to see how to do these projects and learn other ways you can help.
Number and Shapes
6. Nature Shapes
Talk a walk on our trails and look around to discover the different shapes in nature.
Outdoor Adventurer
3. Day Hike
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge has many trails for you to enjoy. Stop by the information desk at one of our visitor centers to get a trail map and more information.
5. Touch, Smell, Listen
The trails are a great place to use your senses. Remember to watch out for poison ivy and stinging nettle and to stay on the trails. Do not remove leaves or plants and if you do pick something up be sure to put it back where you found it.
Plants
2. Plant Rubbings
Visit the Problem with Imports exhibit at the Bloomington Visitor Center and learn about exotic species on the refuge. Walk on the trails to find things to make rubbings from. Be sure to stay on the trails to avoid ticks, poison ivy, and stinging nettle.
4. Leaf Hunt
There are many different kinds of trees on the refuge, and the fall can be a great time to find leaves on the ground. Be sure to put them back after you are finished looking at them.
Watching Wildlife
2. Animal Talk
Use the cd's, More Birding By Ear (1-3), at the wildlife viewing area to learn what some of the bird calls are on the Refuge. Then go for a hike to see if you can identify any of the bird calls.
6. Outdoor Shopping
Use the observation deck and wildlife viewing area in the Visitor Center to observe different kinds of wildlife. Pay attention to where they are living and what they are eating.
Water Everywhere
5. Water Explorer
Visit the Long Meadow Lake Unit's Bass Ponds Trailhead and look for creatures and plants that live in the water. Remember to put back anything (including plants and debris) you take out of the ponds after you are finished looking at them.
