Governors from each of the eight states in the Region have issued proclamations for Refuge Week and encourage the public to visit refuges, which are public treasures set aside to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife and their critical habitat for the continued benefit of all people.
National Wildlife Refuge Week recognizes nearly a century of conservation in the United States. President Theodore Roosevelt established the first National Wildlife Refuge in 1903 (Pelican Island, Florida) to protect herons, egrets and other colonial waterbirds. During his presidency he created 50 more refuges, nearly all to protect wildlife species threatened with extinction. Today, the National Wildlife Refuge System encompasses more than 500 refuges across the U.S., including one or more refuges in every state. Covering over 92 million acres, the Refuge System is the only public lands system in the world dedicated to wildlife and conserving wildlife habitat. Refuges encompass every kind of ecosystem in the U.S., including temperate, tropical and boreal forests; wetlands, deserts, grasslands, and remote islands.
In the Great Lakes-Big Rivers Region, there are 52 refuges, seven wetland management districts and 1 private lands office on 981,085 total acres. Illinois has eight refuges on 106,565 acres, Indiana has two refuges on 8,412 acres, Iowa has six refuges and a private lands office on 85,121 acres, Michigan has seven refuges on 115,609 acres, Minnesota has 11 refuges and five wetland management districts on 432,100 acres, Missouri has eight refuges on 50,407 acres, Ohio has three refuges on 8,325 acres, and Wisconsin has seven refuges and two wetland management districts on 174,546 acres.
Last year, more than 5.5 million people visited refuges in the Great Lakes-Big Rivers Region to view wildlife, participate in educational programs, hunt or fish (Illinois had 1.5 million visits, Indiana had 120,000 visits, Iowa had 1.2 million visits, Michigan had 182,800 visits, Minnesota had 1 million visits, Missouri had 238,700 visits, Ohio had 80,900 visits and Wisconsin had 1.2 million visits).
For more information about National Wildlife Refuges or specific Refuge Week events, call your nearest refuge or Regional Refuge Week Coordinator Larry Dean at (612) 725 3602.
ILLINOIS
Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge (located 4 miles east of Carbondale, Illinois) - Staff will celebrate throughout the week with activities including display of the Bell Museum of Natural History Endangered Species exhibit, opening of the closed refuge areas for auto tours Saturdays and Sundays of Refuge Week and all Sundays in October, special video showings throughout the week, and live bird displays, October 6 and 13. Telephone (618) 997-3344
Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge (located about 40 miles south of Marion, Illinois) -- Hosts the Regional Teacher Institute, 8:30 a.m. to noon October 11, on three guided tours by the Cache River Wetlands Joint Venture Staff. Participants will learn about the life that flourishes within the Cache River Wetlands and will be introduced to educational resources available to them and opportunities for class field trips. Telephone (618) 634-2231
Illinois River National Wildlife and Fish Refuges (located 8 miles north of Havana, Illinois) -- Staff host an extended open house, Oct. 7-12. People are invited to participate in tours of the refuges water management system at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Daily, or walk/ride the half-mile accessible interpretive nature trail. Tours will showcase habitat restoration enhancement work on Chautauqua Refuge. Similar projects on Emiquon and Meredosia National Wildlife Refuges will be outlined using aerial photography. Other highlights in presentations will include compatible public use opportunities, natural resource benefits, and the significance of the National Wildlife Refuge System. (309) 535-2290
Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge (located in Savanna, Illinois) -- Staff host a tour of the Potters Marsh EMP Project, 10 a.m. Oct. 5, a rocket net (used to capture and tag waterfowl) demonstration at 1 p.m. Oct. 6, a canoe trip to Kellers heron rookery, 1:30 p.m. October 6, a preschool and kindergarten childrens program, 8:30 a.m. Oct. 7, childrens program for 2nd and 3rd graders, 8:30 a.m. Oct. 8, annual volunteer recognition ceremony, 9 a.m. Oct. 9, dedication of the new accessible spotting scope, 10:30 a.m. Oct. 9, a program for a local Girl Scout troop, 3:15 p.m. Oct. 10, a program for residents of the Big Meadows Nursing Home, 10 a.m. Oct. 11, and an open house 10 a.m. to noon, Oct. 12. Telephone (815) 273-2732
INDIANA
Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge (located 3 miles east of Seymour, Indiana) -- celebrates both Refuge Week and the 30th birthday of the refuge October 12. The day long, public event begins at 8 a.m. and includes the dedication of a bird viewing room in the visitors center and the opening of a historic reconstructed log cabin on the refuge. The bird viewing room was a cost-share project with the Muscatatuck Wildlife Society and private donors, and was built by volunteers. The event will highlight these excellent examples of public support of the national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
Learn more about national wildlife refuge system. Refuge staff will celebrate throughout Refuge Week with Conservation Field Days for county third graders, opening closed areas to visitors, and special tours and interpretive programs. Telephone (812) 522 4352
Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge (located 2 miles north of Oakland City, Indiana) -- staff will host the Evansville Audubon Society, 8:30 a.m. to noon Oct. 12, for a field trip to the project areas, exploring partnership opportunities, and will again host the group for an evening presentation, 7 p.m. Oct. 15. Telephone (812) 749-3199
IOWA
DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge (located 30 miles north of Omaha in Missouri Valley, Iowa) -- The refuge plans a wildlife art show, special weekend wildlife films, distribution of outreach items (posters and bookmarks) in Omaha schools, and showing a short program on the National Wildlife Refuge System. (712) 642-4121
Walnut Creek National Wildlife Refuge (located 20 miles east of Des Moines, Iowa), celebrates with their 4th Annual Seed and Feed, Oct. 5. The event is a gathering of families at a Jasper County Conservation Board prairie remnant for potluck supper, picking seeds for use at Walnut Creek. The refuge also plans a tour of their new Prairie Learning Center (grand opening will be this spring) for the Des Moines Engineers Club, Oct. 10. This club of about 30 civil, mechanical and environmental systems engineers interested in the sustainable design and green architecture components of the new facility will join a 5:45 p.m. tour. Telephone (515) 994-2415
MICHIGAN
Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge (located five miles south of Saginaw, Michigan) -- Staff open celebrations with opening the refuge to auto tours, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 5, an interpretive nature hike, 6 p.m. Oct. 7, a Night Prowl nature hike, 7-9 p.m. Oct. 9, and a guided bicycle tour of the refuge (including areas normally closed to the public), 5 p.m. Oct. 10.
MINNESOTA
Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge (located 12 miles north of Thief River Falls, Minnesota) -- There will be a rocket net exhibit (used to capture waterfowl for banding) on the lawn at the headquarters throughout the week, and the fall flight forecast video will be available for showing. Refuge staff will be on the Coffee Time show Oct. 4 to talk about refuge week and the new school years Adopt A Moose program. Posters will be distributed to schools, local stations will be asked to present a refuge fact each morning during their broadcasts, and Mel Stone, Grand Forks TV 11, will be at the refuge to film banding, fall flight, etc. For his Outdoors program. Telephone (218) 449-4115
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge (located in Bloomington, Minnesota) -- Refuge staff will celebrate Refuge Week with events Oct. 5, 6 and 13, and a combination 20th birthday and Refuge Week celebration Oct. 12. October 5, the staff hosts a canoe trip on the Minnesota River, from Bell Plaine to the Thompson Ferry Landing. October 6 there will be a bike tour at the Louisville Swamp and guided wildlife tour featuring squirrels and how city noise affects wildlife habitat. Morning bird hikes are planned for both October 6 and 13, and an Open House marks the Minnesota Valley birthday celebration and Refuge Week recognition on October 12. Telephone (612) 725-3145.
Morris Wetland Management District (located approximately 3 miles east of Morris, Minnesota) - Staff have organized a display at the University of Minnesota-Morris describing uses on National Wildlife Refuges and Wetland Districts. Telephone (612) 589 1001.
Regional Office (located in the Federal Building at Fort Snelling, Minnesota) -- Oct. 9 the Regional Office will have refreshments and refuge materials available in the Regional Directors conference room with prizes and games planned as well.
Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge (located 5 miles south of McGregor, Minnesota) -- Refuge Week is peak migration time at Rice Lake. Auto tour routes are opened to the public during daylight hours, and staff will be available to answer visitor questions and share the Refuge Week message during weekends, from October 5 to 20. Telephone (218) 768-2402.
Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge (located 5 miles west of Zimmerman, Minnesota) -- Staff will host an open house October 12 for refuge week. Activities will include 7:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. birding tours, wildlife and wild land programs and exhibits in the Old School House, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and an eagle/raptor program at 1 p.m. All refuge service roads will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Telephone (612) 389-3323, Metro line 441-6010.
Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge (located 6 miles east of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota) -- Staff will host their fall open house and craft show, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 5, including kick off sales of the refuges long-awaited recipe book, Natures Edible Bounty and sample treats from the book will be available, and Dana Emery, a local expert on herbs will give a 1 p.m. Presentation. Telephone (218) 847-2641.
Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Complex (located in Winona, Minnesota), staff from Winona and LaCrosse Districts will host public tours and refreshments for the public, from noon to 3:30 p.m. Oct. The tours are by reservation with one visiting key points on the Minnesota side of the river and the other key point on the Wisconsin side of the River. Staff will discuss partnerships, EMP projects, public use opportunities along the river, etc. Telephone (507) 452-4232.
MISSOURI
Mark Twain Annada District (located 1 mile east of Annada, Missouri) -- Staff are sending special invitations to local schools for refuge tours to highlight Refuge Week. Due to scheduling conflicts, the open house to recognize Refuge Week will be held Oct. 20 and also will include local dignitaries on the invite list. Telephone (314) 847-2333.
Mingo National Wildlife Refuge (located 2 miles north of Puxico, Missouri) -- Staff are working with the Missouri Department of Conservation on celebration plans which currently include an open house throughout Refuge Week, participating in the States celebration of Duck Days on Duck Creek. Telephone (314) 222-3589.
Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge (located 35 miles northwest of St. Joseph, Missouri) -- Staff will give tours and host events for 4 local schools, Friday October 4, offer guided tours for visitors Oct. 5, and keep their office open to public Oct. 6 to emphasize refuge week. Written invitations going out to congressional folks and others to participate in the Saturday tours. Telephone (816) 442-5754.
Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge (located 30 miles southeast of Chillicothe, Missouri) -- Will host a wildlife exhibit featuring a local artist, Oct. 7-12, open refuge closed areas to auto tours Oct. 5 15, set up a display in the local library Oct. 1-16, show a refuge wetlands management slide program, 7 p.m. Oct. 9, offer guided tours for local schools Oct. 10, will have local Audubon Society members staffing the visitor center, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 12, and key waterfowl observation stations, 8 a.m. to 1 p .m. Oct. 12. Telephone (816) 856-3323
OHIO
Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge (located 18 miles east of Oregon, Ohio) -- Staff will host an open hose Oct. 12, including an auto tour of the refuge, displays on bird banding, the Ohio Junior Duck Stamp contest and wildlife rehabilitation, and presentations to include raptors and the refuge. Telephone (419) 898-0014
WISCONSIN
Horicon National Wildlife Refuge (located 6 miles east of Waupun, Wisconsin), celebrates with a grand opening and open house for their new museum quality exhibits, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. October 5. The celebration highlights the two-year project to design and install the high quality interactive exhibits which share the wildlife diversity of Horicon Marsh, a wetland of international importance. Telephone (414) 387-2664
Necedah National Wildlife Refuge (located 4 miles west of Necedah, Wisconsin) -- Staff will host an open house with guided tours, school group visits and a photograph scavenger hunt. Telephone (608) 565-2551
St. Croix Wetland Management District (located 3.5 miles west of New Richmond, Wisconsin) -- Host an open house, 1-5 p.m. Oct. The open house will feature guided walks through the St. Croix Prairie Waterfowl Production Area showing native prairie, restored grass lands, and prairie wetlands. There will be displays, equipment, and information about WPA management, including prescribed burning, wetland restoration and grass land seeding. Telephone (715) 246-7784
Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge (located 3 miles southwest of Centerville, Wisconsin) -- Staff will be on hand at the refuge observation deck, noon to sunset, October Staff are also distributing materials to local schools to spread the word about Refuge Week and will discuss the significance of the Refuge System with visitors throughout the week. Telephone (608) 539-2311
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 93-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses more than 530 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 66 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies. For further information about the programs and activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Great Lakes-Big Rivers Region, please visit our home page at: http://midwest.fws.gov
