MRW

Home
About
MRW Board
News
Events
Volunteer
Refuge Issues
Links
Mailing List
Friends Exchange

Donate

Friends Online

None
Mississippi River Wild
PDF Print E-mail
Facebook!
Twitter!
alt
 Just some of the trash collected on MRW's annual River Cleanup day.
 
We are a group of citizens dedicated to preserving and protecting the natural resources of the Upper Mississippi River Refuge in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).  Mississippi River Wild’s objectives are to:         
  • Enhance and preserve fish and wildlife habitat
  • Increase public awareness and support of the refuge
  • Advocate sound policy and adequate funding for the refuge
  • Provide educational opportunities for all ages and cultures
  • Promote volunteerism and partnerships to assist refuge staff
  • Assist the FWS in implementing refuge goals and objectives
  • Encourage diversity of native species and habitat
  • Encourage responsible recreation within the refuge
 

Friends Exchange News

MRW Events

MRW News

Refuge Association Launches 5th Annual Refuge Photo Contest
 

alt


   
   

 
 
Washington, DC- The National Wildlife Refuge Association (NWRA) announces its 5th annual digital photo contest showcasing America's national wildlife refuges. Entries for the 2010 Refuge Photo Contest can be submitted until September 24, 2010 with results to be announced in October 2010 in connection with Refuge Week.

"Images of wildlife and wild landscapes tell the remarkable story of our national wildlife refuges," said Evan Hirsche, president of NWRA. "Amateur and professional photographers alike are capturing amazing images throughout the System, and we invite these photographers to share their work and showcase the natural beauty of our wildlife refuges with a broader audience."

Comprised of more than 550 refuges in all states and territories, the National Wildlife Refuge System protects over 150 million acres of lands and water, and is the premier system of public lands incorporated to protect wildlife in the world.

Images submitted for the photo contest can be of birds, mammals, insects, fish, other animals, plants, people, or simply shots of refuge scenery.

This year Southwest Airlines, the official airline of NWRA, has generously donated $2,000 cash and 2 round trip tickets for the first place prize. Other prizes include offerings from Wild Bird Centers of America, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and HaberVision, with winning image hosting services graciously provided by Zenfolio.

In addition, winners' images will be highlighted on NWRA's website and future publications. Runners up will be selected for inclusion in the NWRA Refuge Image Library and every photographer submitting an entry will receive a complimentary one-year membership in the National Wildlife Refuge Association. Winning images from previous contests can be viewed online at http://nwra.zenfolio.com.

For photo contest details, requirements, and procedures, please visit http://www.refugeassociation.org/contest/ContestHome.html and to download a printable 2010 Refuge Photo Contest flyer click here.

The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge Association is to conserve America’s wildlife heritage for future generations through strategic programs that protect, enhance, and expand the National Wildlife Refuge System and the landscapes beyond its boundaries that secure its ecological integrity.
 
Boat Tours of Pool 8 Habitat Restoration Project
 Public boat tours of the Upper Miss Refuge island restoration project in the lower reach of Navigation Pool 8 will be offered again this summer. The two tours will take place on Monday evening, August 30, 2010. Tours will depart from Wildcat Park at 4:30 and 6:15 and return to the park about 80 minutes later. Participants will ride in pontoon boats, flat-bottom boats, and a cruise boat from Mississippi Explorer Cruises. Wildcat Park is located about ½-mile south of Brownsville, MN.
 
The tours are free, but registration is required. To register you must email Paula Ogden-Muse at Paula_Ogden-Muse@fws.gov or call (608) 783-8403 and provide the following information: your name, phone number, preferred departure time, and the number of people in your party.
 
The two tours will accommodate a total of 150 people. Representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Minnesota and Wisconsin Departments of Natural Resources, and Mississippi River Wild will conduct the tours and provide information about this important fish and wildlife habitat restoration project.
 
This habitat restoration project, known as the "Pool 8 Islands, Phase III Habitat Restoration and Enhancement Project", consists of construction and/or protection of twenty-six islands. Construction began in 2006 and is tentatively scheduled for completion in 2012.  To-date, eight earthen islands, five seed islands, three breakwater islands, and the off-shore rock mound have been completed with six additional islands currently in various stages of completion. Three additional islands will be built in 2011.
 
Project funding is being provided through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Environmental Management Program (EMP). Project planning and design have been a cooperative effort between the St. Paul District Corps of Engineers; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; U.S. Geological Survey; the Wisconsin, and Minnesota Departments of Natural Resources; the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; and the public.

 
 
Another Successfull Annual Cleanup
 

 

 

Another great day for our annual River Cleanup.  We filled a 20 yard dumpster with lots of trash, over 30 plastic barrels and even salvaged and cut up an 18 foot fiberglass boat that had been abandoned several years ago and had floated down on one of the backwater islands.  Special thanks to CARP and Mississippi River Wild for recruiting volunteers and to the great cooperation from the La Crosse District Refuge office and the Corps of Engineers for providing boats and operators. 

 

Tip of the Hat to the following Cleanup volunteers:  

        

Ken Haefs alt
John Plitzuweit
Pete Allen

Gary Beardmore

Cathy Beardmore
Al Brinkman

Chuck Chihak

Laura Chihak
Regina Chihak
Sasha Chihak
VinceJohn Goldwater
Jeff Gross

Bob Hanson
Kevin Hayes
Joe Hayes

Bob Hill
Pat Hill
Phil Moen alt

Derrick Nelson
Paul Nelson
Russ Peterson
Jim Rozovics
Richard Thomas
Ken Visger

Terry Visger

Jean Coldwater


from the Corps: Ray and Seth
from USFWS: Ben, Calvin, Jess, Paula 

Thanks to Jake at Wild Cat landing & Billy for bringing down the Ambulance

 

Thanks for all you do for the Upper Miss.

 
Copyright 2009 © MississippiRiver Wild.  All Rights Reserved.
HomeAboutLogin