FRIENDS OF THE REFUGE HEADWATERS

The Friends of the Refuge Headwaters is a volunteer organization made up of people who support the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. We are based in Winona but draw members from the surrounding area as well, both in Minnesota and Wisconsin. We host activities throughout the year that bring people out onto the Refuge (paddling, fishing, bird-watching), assist Refuge staff with biological surveys, and educate and advocate on behalf of the Refuge... In addition to the above, our Friends group installs, monitors, and maintains fishing line recycling containers at 35 boat landings and popular fishing sites over a 30-mile stretch of the river. We advocate for the refuge and national wildlife refuge system at the local, state, and federal level. We bring in expert speakers on wildlife and conservation topics. And we compete for grants to support our activities... We do a lot! We carry out a wide variety of activities, most on the Refuge or in the vicinity of Winona..