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
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Outdoor Painters of Minnesota: Sustaining Artist Merit
Refuge Headquarters and Bloomington Education and Visitor Center, 3815 American Blvd. East, Bloomington, MN, US| The art of plein air doesn't stop when the temperature drops! Come by the Bloomington Visitor Center to listen to landscape painters as they share their stories and talk about the challenges they've overcome. A panel discussion will begin at 10:30am, followed an optional painting session at 1:30. Time for lunch - BYO - will be held between activities. Please bring your own painting supplies, canvases, and easels if you'd like to join the paint-in session afterwards.
Questions? Contact MinnesotaValley@fws.gov or call (952) 854-5900.
Location: Meet us in the classrooms at the Bloomington Visitor Center.
3815 American Blvd E, Bloomington, MN 55425
Activity Level: This is an easy indoor activity, consisting mainly of sitting down, with the option to go outside after.
What to Bring: Please wear winter clothing for painting outdoors following lunch (coat, pants, boots, mittens, hat, etc). Consider dressing in layers. A full water bottle is recommended.
Accessibility: Accessibility at Bloomington Visitor Center:
Restrooms and water fountains are located inside the visitor center. Handicap parking and dropoff available. Visitor center is flat aggregate or carpeted flooring with ramps to access all areas. There are benches and rest areas around the visitor center.
Hillside and Spur trails are natural surface with has steep slopes, with a wooden staircase for a portion of it. Long Meadow Lake trail is accessed via these sloped trails, but itself is mostly flat and is natural surface. 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. Trailheads are a 0.1-0.2 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.5 attendees
Intro to Hiking: Wilkie
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge - Wilkie Unit, 7701 County Road 101 E, Shakopee, MN, USJust because it's cold doesn't mean the outdoors can't be enjoyed! Come out for a hike with refuge staff and volunteers as they lead you down snowy paths to see the winter wonderland of Minnesota Valley. Snowshoes will be provided if suitable snow conditions are met.
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: Saturday, January 10th from 1-2:30pm
Location: Meet us at kiosk at the Wilkie Unit Trailhead. 7701 County Road 101 E, 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 the Wilkie Unit Trailhead:
There are no restrooms or water located at this trailhead. The Minnesota Valley State Trail is a paved flat route, and the Blue Lake Trail is natural surface and mostly flat. 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 or rest areas along the route. The trailhead is <0.1 miles from the parking 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.13 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 55425
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: 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.9 attendees
Nature Novice: Winter Birding
Refuge Headquarters and Bloomington Education and Visitor Center, 3815 American Blvd. East, Bloomington, MN, USGrab your warm boots – we're heading onto the trails! Join us for a winter birding hike along Long Meadow Lake Trail where we'll enjoy a scenic winter walk. We’ll cover how to use binoculars and field guides to identify and learn more about the birds we see around us. Too much snow? No problem — we’ll start with a quick snowshoe tutorial and set off on an easy, beginner-friendly trek. This is an introductory hike so no experience needed! Binoculars, field guides, and snowshoe equipment will be provided.
Questions? Contact MinnesotaValley@fws.gov or call (952) 854-5900.
Date and Time: Saturday, January 24, 2026 from 1-2pm
Location: Meet us in the classrooms at the Bloomington Visitor Center.
3815 American Blvd E, Bloomington, MN 55425
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 outdoor program. The introductory activity is easy active and at-your-own pace.
What to Bring: Bring warm shoes comfortable for hiking and winter gear - hat, gloves, scarves, etc.
Accessibility: Accessibility at Bloomington Visitor Center:
Restrooms and water fountains are located inside the visitor center. Handicap parking and dropoff available. Visitor center is flat aggregate or carpeted flooring with ramps to access all areas. There are benches and rest areas around the visitor center.
Hillside and Spur trails are natural surface with has steep slopes, with a wooden staircase for a portion of it. Long Meadow Lake trail is accessed via these sloped trails, but itself is mostly flat and is natural surface. 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. Trailheads are a 0.1-0.2 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.11 attendees
Past events
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