About us
This Meetup group provides free events and activities centered around the Big 6 wildlife-dependent recreational uses for visitors of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge - hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, environmental education and interpretation.
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge is composed of 14,000 acres that stretch 70 miles along the Minnesota River from Fort Snelling in Bloomington to Henderson and includes a 10,000-acre, 14-county Wetland Management District. Since its founding in 1976 by motivated residents, all activities and events at the Refuge have remained free and open to everyone. Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge is one of 14 National Priority Urban Refuges within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. With more than 46 miles of trails and two visitor centers, the Refuge is unique in its urban setting that is tucked within the shadows of the Mall of America and the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, as well as within walking distance of the metro area's light rail system. The Refuge provides its 3.5 million neighbors in the Twin Cities, as well as visitors from around the world, with opportunities to connect with nature, participate in a variety of outdoor recreational activities, and improve habitat for resident and migrating wildlife. Plan your visit to Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge by visiting https://www.fws.gov/refuge/minnesota_valley/.
This group is sponsored by Minnesota Valley Refuge Friends, a mostly volunteer group supporting the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge through volunteering, fundraising and advocacy. To more, sign up for our newsletter and become a member at our website, https://www.mnvalleyrefugefriends.org/.
Photo of Old Cedar Avenue bridge by Mike Richards. Used with permission.
Upcoming events
15
Intro to Hiking: Louisville Swamp
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge: Louisville Swamp Unit, 3801 145th Street West, Shakopee, MN, USThe snow is melting and creatures are coming out of hibernation - so should you! Step outside for an afternoon of introductory level hiking with refuge staff and volunteers while we explore what spring has to offer.
This program is intended for all ages as an introduction to hiking and refuge trails. No experience necessary - we're here to show you the ropes! Registration optional. For information on trail conditions, please read the accessibility section.Questions? Contact MinnesotaValley@fws.gov or call (952) 854-5900.
Date and Time: Tuesday, May 19 from 5-6:30pm
Location: Meet us at the trailhead at the Louisville Swamp North Trailhead (Main Parking Area). 3801 145th St W, Shakopee, MN 55379
Registration Information: Registration optional through Signup.com.
Optional registration allows us to prepare supplies and materials for the program, send reminders, and allows us to contact you in the event of inclement weather!
Activity Level: This is an easy to moderate outdoor activity. We hope to reach 2-2.5 miles in 1.5 hours. This will be guided by refuge staff and volunteers. Frequent breaks will occur.
What to Bring: Please wear winter clothing as this program is fully outdoors (coat, pants, boots, mittens, hat, etc). Consider dressing in layers. A full water bottle is recommended.
Accessibility: Accessibility at Louisville Swamp North Trailhead (Main Parking Area):
Restrooms are located at the parking lot. There are no water fountains or dedicated handicap parking. Trail is nature surface and mostly flat, with a slight slope to reach the Mazomani trail. Depending on seasonal trail conditions, natural surface paths may be muddy (summer) or snowy (winter) and may not always be suitable for strollers or wheelchairs. There are no benches in the trail area. Trailhead is a <0.1 mile distance from the parking lot. There are no benches or rest areas in the area.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is committed to providing access to these events for all participants. Please direct all requests for sign language interpreting services, close captioning, or other accommodation needs at least ten business days before the event to Oscar Hernandez at oscar_hernandez@fws.gov.
2 attendees
Birdwatching Trek: Bass Ponds *Register on signup.com*
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge - Bass Ponds, 2400 86th St E, Bloomington, MN, USJoin refuge naturalist Craig Mandel for a bird walk to learn about the birds that we find on the refuge. Learn about the different types of habitats at the refuge that support over 100 species of birds, many of which migrate through and nest on the refuge during certain times of the year. No experience needed, this program is intended for those interested in birding regardless of experience level. Registration required.
Questions? Contact MinnesotaValley@fws.gov or call (952) 854-5900 (press 1 to reach Visitor Services).
Registration Information: Registration required. Capped at 25 participants, register here: https://signup.com/go/rLmKfrK
Please indicate in your registration if you would like to receive a birding summary and species list from the walk.Activity Level: This program is entirely outdoors. Distance covered is 1-2 miles total. The walk is easy active, slow moving, with plenty of stops along the way.
Meet us: Meet us at the Upper Trailhead at Bass Ponds.
2501 86th St E, Bloomington, MN 55425What to bring: Comfortable clothing is recommended, including boots for wet/rainy conditions on muddy trails. Sunscreen and bug spray are also recommended. If you have them, bring along your own pair of binoculars and field guides. Volunteers have spotting scopes available for all to use as well.
Accessibility: Restrooms are located at the lower trailhead, a short 0.3 mile, but steep, downhill walk on paved road from the parking lot. Persons who cannot travel the steep hill from the upper to the lower trailhead on foot may receive a gate code to drive down to the lower lot. Please call (952) 854-5900 for the gate code. There are no water fountains at this location. Trails are natural surface, mostly flat. Depending on seasonal trail conditions, natural surface paths may be muddy (summer) and may not always be suitable for strollers or wheelchairs. There are two benches along the trail near the fishing piers.
Accommodation: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is committed to providing access to these events for all participants. Please direct all requests for sign language interpreting services, close captioning, or other accommodation needs at least ten business days before the event to Oscar Hernandez at oscar_hernandez@fws.gov.
6 attendees
Birdwatching Trek: Rapids Lake Visitor Center *Register at signup.com*
15865 Rapids Lake Rd, Carver, MN, USJoin refuge naturalist Craig Mandel for a bird walk to learn about the birds that we find on the refuge. Learn about the different types of habitats at the refuge that support over 100 species of birds, many of which migrate through and nest on the refuge during certain times of the year. No experience needed, this program is intended for those interested in birding regardless of experience level. Registration required.
Questions? Contact MinnesotaValley@fws.gov or call (952) 854-5900 (press 1 to reach Visitor Services).
Location: Meet us at the main entrance at the Rapids Lake Visitor Center.
15865 Rapids Lake Rd, Carver, MN 55315Registration Information: Registration required. Capped at 25 participants, register here through Signup.com.
Please indicate in your registration if you would like to receive a birding summary and species list from the walk.Activity Level: This program is entirely outdoors. Distance covered is 1-2 miles total. The walk is easy active, slow moving, with plenty of stops along the way.
What to Bring: Comfortable clothing is recommended, including boots for wet/rainy conditions on muddy trails. Sunscreen and bug spray are also recommended. If you have them, bring along your own pair of binoculars and field guides. Volunteers have spotting scopes available for all to use as well.
Accessibility: Accessibility at the Rapids Lake Visitor Center:
Restrooms and a water bottle filler are available inside the visitor center. There is an outdoor restroom, but no outdoor water fountains. There is dedicated handicap parking available. The Rapids Lake Trail and Forest Loop are flat natural surface paths and the trail leading to both is paved with a slight downward slope. Depending on seasonal trail conditions, natural surface paths may be muddy (summer) or snowy (winter). Paths may not always be suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. It is a 0.1-0.2 mile walk to get to the trailhead from the parking lot. There are no rest areas along the trails, but are present inside and outside the visitor center.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is committed to providing access to these events for all participants. Please direct all requests for sign language interpreting services, close captioning, or other accommodation needs at least ten business days before the event to Oscar Hernandez at oscar_hernandez@fws.gov
5 attendees
Flower Photography Photo Hike with Don Tredinnick
9551 Old Cedar Ave S, Bloomington, MN, USEarly June is a wonderful time to get out and see what flowers are blooming.
Join us for a photo hike as we explore the trails around the Old Cedar Ave bridge looking for flowers. Don Tredinnick of Frozen Hiker Photography will discuss compositional approaches to getting interesting images that can used year-round for floral photography.
This intermediate program is intended for those looking to further their camera photography skills. No registration required.
Questions? Contact MinnesotaValley@fws.gov or call (952) 854-5900.
Date and Time: Saturday, June 06, 2026 from 10am-12:30pm
Location: Meet us at the trailhead at Old Cedar Avenue. 9551 Old Cedar Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55425
Registration Information: There is no registration.
Activity Level: This program is outdoors. Less than one mile of distance is covered, with slow movement and plenty of stops to take photos. This program is led by Don Treddinnick of Frozen Hiker Photography. There will be plenty of time to ask questions both during the lecture as well as during the photoshoot.
What to Bring: Appropriate clothing for the weather. Insect repellent is recommended. Bring a DSLR or mirrorless camera and a lens or lenses that provide a range of focal lengths between 24 and 105mm. Macro lenses, extension tubes, close-up filters, and tripods are optional.
Accessibility: Accessibility at Old Cedar Avenue:
Restrooms and water fountains are available seasonally, from last frost to first frost typically. The restrooms are managed by the City of Bloomington. There is dedicated handicap parking. A portable restroom is available on site. Bluff and Hogback Ridge trails are nature surface. Bluff trail features a wooden boardwalk and has many steep inclines and declines approximately 0.25 miles in, but connects to the Minnesota Valley State trail 3.4 miles in, which is a flat and paved path. The pedestrian bridge is a flat concrete path. Depending on seasonal trail conditions, natural surface paths may be muddy (summer) or snowy (winter). Paths may not always be suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. There are no benches on the trails, but rest areas are located at the pavilion, Nature Play Area, and fishing pier. Trailhead is a <0.1 mile distance from the parking lot.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is committed to providing access to these events for all participants. Please direct all requests for sign language interpreting services, close captioning, or other accommodation needs at least ten business days before the event to Oscar Hernandez at oscar_hernandez@fws.gov.
1 attendee
Past events
831
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Organizers
Minnesota Valley Refuge F. is a Super Organizer
