What we’re about
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 (4+)
See all- Join A Master Naturalist: Seed Art *Register on Signup.com*15865 Rapids Lake Rd, Carver, MN
Join a Master Naturalist and craft your own seed art masterpiece! Participants can expect to go on a seed walk to discover what seeds are growing nearby and then complete and take home their own seed art creations. This program is open to all levels, ages 6+ with an adult companion. Registration required.
Questions? Contact MinnesotaValley@fws.gov or call (952) 854-5900 (press 1 to reach Visitor Services).
Registration Information: Registration required. Capped at 20 participants, register here: https://signup.com/go/waKmsJN
Activity Level: The program is indoors, with a 15-minute walk outside at the beginning of the program. We will cover less than .3 miles of distance. This is an easy-active activity, with plenty of points to take breaks. This is a guided program with time for creativity and exploration.
Meet Us: Meet us in the classrooms at the Rapids Lake Visitor Center.
15865 Rapids Lake Rd, Carver, MN 55315What To Bring: Comfortable clothing and good walking shoes are recommended. If you have it, bring along sunscreen and bug spray. We provided all materials necessary for making sed art.
Accessibility: 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). 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.
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.
- Join A Master Naturalist: Deer Tracking Hike *Register on Signup.com*15865 Rapids Lake Rd, Carver, MN
Join a Master Naturalist to learn about deer tracking, a useful skill for any deer hunter or nature enthusiast. Participants can expect to get out on the trails to look for signs, and how to intrepret what they're finding. No experience needed, this program is for all experience levels and geared for adults. Registration required.
Questions? Contact MinnesotaValley@fws.gov or call (952) 854-5900 (press 1 to reach Visitor Services).
Registration Information: Registration required. Capped at 20 participants, register here: https://signup.com/go/waKmsJN
Activity Level: This program is mainly outdoors, with an indoor portion to kick off the program. The hike is about 1 mile in length, and may be going off trail to follow deer signs. This is an intermediate activity, can be strenuous, but with plenty of stops along the way.
Meet Us: Meet us in the classrooms at the Rapids Lake Visitor Center.
15865 Rapids Lake Rd, Carver, MN 55315What 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 binoculars and trekking poles.
Accessibility: 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). 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.
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.
- Birdwatching Trek: Old Cedar Avenue *Register on signup.com*9551 Old Cedar Ave S, Bloomington, MN
Join 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 pavilion at Old Cedar Avenue.
9551 Old Cedar Ave S, 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 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). 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.
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.
- Wildflowers of the Season: Louisville Swamp *Register on signup.com*Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge: Louisville Swamp Unit, Shakopee, MN
Join us on a search for blooming wildflowers. We’ll spend time observing the plants in three different types of habitats, including an Oak Savanah, Restored Prairie and some Upland Forest for variety. No experience needed, this program is for all experience levels. Registration required.
Questions? Contact MinnesotaValley@fws.gov or call (952) 854-5900 (press 1 to reach Visitor Services).
Registration Information: Registration required. Capped at 20 participants, register here: https://signup.com/go/UYYNXjC
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 trailhead at the Louisville Swamp North Trailhead (Main Parking Area).
3801 145th St West, Shakopee, MN 55379What to bring: Comfortable clothing is recommended, including boots for wet/rainy conditions on muddy trails. Sunscreen and bug spray are also recommended. Bring along your favorite wildflower field guide, a notebook and your phone if you'd like.
Accessibility: 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) 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.
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.
