REFUGE FRIENDS PARTNERS

The National Wildlife Refuge System is committed to building partnerships that encourage conservation and protection of our natural and cultural resources. Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge works with multiple partners throughout the Minnesota River Valley.

Minnesota Valley Refuge Friends supports the Partner School Program at the Refuge, which provides environmental education  and interpretation lessons to students K-5th grade in the metro Area. The Blue Goose Fund provides a free trip to the refuge for schools in need. These schools have over 50% of students needing free/reduced-cost lunch.  They visit the refuge 3 times throughout the year, and get to experience and track the changes in nature through the seasons. 

​Refuge lands gradually increase through a unique partnership with the Minnesota Valley Trust Board, which is acquiring new lands that will be donated to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and managed by Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge.  

URBAN WILDLIFE CONSERVATION PROGRAM


Minnesota Valley Refuge Friends supports the Urban Wildlife Conservation Program in its mission to create a connected conservation community by encouraging that everyone has the opportunity to learn about, discover and enjoy the great outdoors.

The UWCP was launched at MN Valley National Wildlife Refuge in January of 2017. Since then, the program has been developing rapidly. With over 3 million Twin Cities residents, the UWCP has quite the grand audience. In order to create a sustainable conservation network in the Twin Cities, the UWCP is developing partnerships with organizations and community members engaged in urban outreach and environmental conservation.  

​For a sample of the current UWCP projects at MVNWR, visit here to learn more. 

WILDERNESS INQUIRY

Wilderness Inquiry is a non-profit organization in the Twin Cities that focuses on inclusive outdoor recreation. Wilderness Inquiry has partnered with Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge to provide paddling experiences to low-income youth and families in the Twin Cities. Minnesota Valley stretches for over 70 miles along the Minnesota River, and paddling is a great way to get youth outdoors. A canoe paddle in a 10 person hand-made wooden Voyager canoe is an experience no kid can forget. 
Interested in partnering with Minnesota Valley Refuge Friends and the Refuge?
Contact us at hello (at) mnvalleyrefugefriends.org.