COME ENJOY THE REFUGE AND LEARN ABOUT ONE OF MINNESOTA's BEST-KEPT SECRETS

The Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge was founded in 1976 to preserve and protect our beautiful river valley from being commercially developed so generations of families could enjoy the natural landscape, plants and wildlife.  Stretching 70 miles with over 14,000 acres, it's home to thousands of animals and native plants. Before the Refuge was established, eagles could not be found. Now eagles flourish, with over 13 nests. The Refuge is also on the Monarch Butterfly flight path and plays a critical role in their lifecycle.

​Ongoing restoration of habitats is a big part of the Refuge's purpose in preserving and protecting our natural world.