Charlie Blair, a 30-year veteran of the U. S Fish and Wildlife Service has reported for duty as the new manager of Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, headquartered in Bloomington, Minn.
Blair and his wife Cheryl are returning to Minnesota after a four year assignment at Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge. Blair was the manager of both the Sherburne and Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuges in central Minnesota from 1993 to 2004. During his career with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Blair has worked on refuges in Ohio, Rhode Island, Delaware, Maryland, and Alaska.
Originally from New England, Blair has a Bachelors of Science Degree in Wildlife Biology from the University of Massachusetts and a Masters of Science Degree in Wildlife Management from Virginia Tech.
“I am thrilled to be returning to Minnesota and having the opportunity to work at Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge,” said Blair. “The refuge provides important habitat and outdoor opportunities for both the wildlife and the people of the Twin Cities.”
Established in 1976, Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge is located in near the intersection of Interstate 494 and 34th Avenue in Bloomington, Minn. The refuge includes a visitor/education center featuring and 8,000-square foot exhibit space, a 125-seat auditorium, two multipurpose classrooms, a bookstore and an observation deck. The refuge also manages a 5,400-acre wetland management district wetland management district
A wetland management district is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service office that manages waterfowl production areas in one or more counties. Waterfowl production areas are small natural wetlands and grasslands that provide breeding, resting and nesting habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds, grassland birds and other wildlife. The Fish and Wildlife Service acquires waterfowl production areas under the authority of the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act, primarily using funds from the sale of Federal Duck Stamps. The Refuge System’s 38 wetland management districts comprise thousands of waterfowl production areas – almost all in the Prairie Pothole Region of the Northern Great Plains.
Learn more about wetland management district .
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge was established to provide habitat for a large number of migratory waterfowl, fish, and other wildlife species threatened by commercial and industrial development. Today, the Refuge stretches up the Minnesota River for more than 45 miles from Fort Snelling State Park to past Belle Plaine, Minn The Refuge has multiple units, most of which have trails and interpretive signs. The visitor center is located in Bloomington, one mile east of the Mall of America. A new visitor center is nearly complete on the Rapids Lake Unit, near Jordan, Minn.
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge also manages a 14-county wetland management district (WMD), stretching from Blue Earth County to Chisago County. Within the WMD more than 2,600 acres of land have been designated as waterfowl production areas (WPA) – lands set aside for the production of waterfowl and other wetland and prairie dependent species. WPAs, like the Refuge, are open to the public.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.
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