Stuff your stockings with nature! New Wildlife and Fish Guides

Pay on‐line here (minimum order of two guides if paying online). Use the “other” box to pay. 

Give to the Max Day, Wednesday 11/16/11

Wednesday, November 16 is the Give to the Max Day, the nation's largest giving day: millions of dollars worth of matching funds and thousands of generous donors!

The Friends will give a Blue Goose Passport to any donor who gives $50 or more through the GiveMN website on Wednesday, November 16. The Blue Goose Passport is a souvenir guide book to National Wildlife Refuges. Take it with you on your travels and get it stamped at the refuges that you visit.

A BIG THANK YOU to those members who have already renewed your memberships, to those who have not, take the opportunity to renew your membership that day as well.

FORH Monthly Meeting, Wednesday 11/16/11

The Friends of the Refuge Headwaters will hold their monthly meeting at 5:30 p.m. November 16 in the Exchange Building located at 51 East 4th Street, Room 203. There will be a feature presentation by Friends members Eric Nelson and John Carrier about the fishing line recycling program that the Friends host on the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. Come and learn about the amount of fishing line being kept out of the river by this recycling program!

Friends member John Carrier installs a fishing line recycling container at a Mississippi River boat landing.

Friends of the Refuge Headwaters Young Adult and Children’s Photo Contest Winners Selected

The Friends of the Refuge Headwaters and the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge – Winona District recently selected the winners of the first Young Adult and Children’s Photo Contest.

Young adults and children of all ages were invited to submit photos that included birds, plants, mammals, scenic views, or people in nature. Twelve local youth and young adults entered the contest.

The overall winner of the contest was River Schultz of Rochester, MN. River won the contest with a photo of a sunrise over a marsh. Second Place was awarded to Milana Shina, Winona, MN and Quinlynn Schultz of Rochester, MN was awarded Third Place.

Honorable Mention was awarded to Aspen Schultz, Rochester, MN; Rachel Hart, Elgin, MN; Emma McCurdy, Trempealeau, WI; Kateri Petry, Winona, MN; and Abby Yaeger, Onalaska, WI.

This contest was made possible through a generous grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Washington, DC.

Project COMPASS fishing photo

Over 50 clients with Project COMPASS joined staff from the Upper Miss Refuge-Winona District, volunteers and members from the Friends of the Refuge Headwaters for an evening of fishing on the refuge. The Friends provide a homemade meal for all participants during the event. Project COMPASS offers events and classes for people with disabilities through the Winona Community Education Office. Fishing on the refuge is an annual event with the Friends and Project COMPASS. Friends Secretary Harold Ornes is grilling the supper at the event with Friends member Judy Inman serving.

Photos: Sandra Lines

National Trails Day Photos

Trails Day canoe event was held on June 4, 2011. The Friends of the Refuge Headwaters and Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, Winona District co-sponsored a paddling event on a newly created canoe trail near Wabasha, MN. The event was led by Refuge Ranger Ed Lagace who took paddlers through the backwaters of the Mississippi River on a trail created as part of an Eagle Scout project. Following the paddle, participants enjoyed a cookout hosted by the Friends of the Refuge Headwaters. The first photo shows Friends President Todd Paddock addressing the crowd before the cookout. The second photo is of people paddling the river.

Great Mississippi River Cleanup Photos

Over 40 volunteers, Friends of the Refuge Headwaters, Living Lands and Waters and Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Winona District and Headquarters staff participated in the cleanup. The June 11 cleanup was launched from four boat landings covering 40 miles of river from Wabasha to Winona, MN. Four dumpsters and one dumptruck of trash was taken out of the river that day. Included in the photo is Friends member and Secretary Harold Ornes, the third person from the right in the first photo.

The Great Mississippi River Cleanup, Saturday, June 11, 2011

Friends and Volunteers, attached is a poster advertising the Great River Cleanup on June 11, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. Please share with others and post at locations that you visit. It is important to note that if you can volunteer to help that day, you must register here. Click on the icon for "Great Mississippi River Cleanup" to get to the registration page. Registering on-line will allow you to choose your "thank you" gift of either a t-shirt or water bottle.

Attack of the Asian Carp

FORH Photo Contest 2011

FORH letter on Wisconsin wetlands threat

Dear Friends of the Refuge Headwaters:

The Upper Mississippi National Wildlife and Fish Refuge was created not to protect beautiful land and water, but because enough people realized that habitat is essential to wildlife.

Since the refuge was created, we learned that wetlands are particularly important. We now know they are critical habitat for many species.  In addition, they serve as giant sponges that absorb water to reduce or prevent floods and then release water during drier periods to maintain higher levels of rivers and lakes.  They are also filters of water, rendering it cleaner.  Finally, they aborb large amounts of greenhouse gases.

But we don’t know these things until it was too late.  Largely treated as useless or even threatening until the middle of the 20th century, we drained or buried most of what originally existed when Europeans arrived here. We don’t have much left.  Hunters have been particularly influential in preserving and maintaining our wetlands, successfully creating programs that give incentives to farmers to do just that.

Wisconsin’s new Governor Walker wants to allow the destruction of a large portion of the wetlands Wisconsin does have.  If this comes about, it would harm the Refuge that serves as our basis.

Please read on below, and on behalf of the Refuge, take action.

Thank you! Todd  

Todd Paddock President, Friends of the Refuge Headwaters 507-454-4176 before 9pm

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Please see the important alert below from Wisconsin Wetlands Association about the potential threat to "isolated" wetlands in Wisconsin.

Governor Walker would like to exempt wetlands less than two acres from current requirements. Two acres are about the size of two football fields - a large area for small, but important creatures (frogs, salamanders, freshwater shrimp, and many more) and those that depend on them (especially herons, shorebirds, and ducks).

Please contact the governor and your legislators soon (info below).

Thanks so much.

Urgent: Wisconsin's isolated wetlands threatened Walker Administration proposes rollback in protection as part of special session  January 4, 2011

On Day 1 of his administration, Governor Walker released an Executive Order that calls for "exemptions from water quality certification and wetland mitigation requirements for certain non-federal wetlands that are less than two acres in size" (see item 6 in the Executive Order). In other words, Governor Walker wants to make it easier for developers and industry to destroy isolated wetlands in hopes of creating jobs. 

We do not know the extent of what's proposed because the administration has not yet released the language, but the intent is clearly to remove protections for at least some, maybe all, isolated wetlands.

This news is disheartening and alarming. In 2001 Wisconsin was the first state in the nation to enact state protections for isolated wetlands (2001 WI Act 6) after federal protections were unexpectedly removed following a Supreme Court decision (SWANCC). The public strongly supported isolated wetland protections, and the bill passed both houses of the legislature with unanimous support.

We will share the proposed wetland protection rollback language as soon as it is available; however, we expect the bill to move quickly upon introduction so it is critical that we mobilize now. The only way to slow this down is to make it clear that an overwhelming majority of Wisconsin citizens oppose wetland destruction under most circumstances.

In This Alert

· Who should care about destruction of isolated wetlands?

· Which wetlands may be affected and where?

· Here's how you can help · Who to contact

· What to say

Which wetlands may be affected and where?

We won't know for sure how many wetlands are in jeopardy until we see the bill. What we do know from an analysis done by the Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) in 2001 is that an estimated 30% of all wetlands in the state are considered non-federal or "isolated wetlands." Of even greater concern is that the distribution of isolated wetlands is uneven across the state. So, for example, the estimated percentage of isolated wetlands exceeds 30% of all wetlands in at least 26 counties and exceeds 50% in Ashland, Dane, Forest, Green, Iron, and Rock counties. To view WDNR's 2001 analysis of isolated wetlands by county, click here.

Here's how you can help

1. Call and write Governor Walker and your representatives in the state senate and state assembly today to tell them you oppose removal of protections for isolated wetlands and expect them to solicit public input before passing any legislation that weakens wetland protection. (See below for contact info and additional talking points.)

2. Forward this alert (and the more detailed one to follow) to as many individuals and organizations as you can and urge them to do the same.

Consider making a special contribution to the Wisconsin Wetlands Association or other conservation organizations that are involved in efforts to protect Wisconsin's wetland heritage.

Other wetland-focused organizations that helped enact our current wetland protection laws include: Ducks Unlimited, Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, and the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association. A list of other state and local organizations that have or may stand up for wetland protections can be found on the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters' website here.

Who to contact Click here to find contact information for your State Senator and State Representative.

Click here to find contact information for Governor Walker* Submit "citizen suggestions" on how wetland protection and economic development can coexist to Governor Walker's office using this response form. *Note - as of this morning (1/4) the contact information posted is still for the Walker transition team and transition office. What to say Dear Governor Walker and Senator/Representative X:

1. I use (e.g., hunt, fish, paddle, birdwatch), enjoy and value Wisconsin's wetlands and want to see them protected.

2. I supported passage of state legislation to protect isolated wetlands in 2001 and still support that law today.

3. The isolated wetlands law (2001 WI Act 6) passed both houses unanimously in a Republican controlled legislature and was signed by a Republican Governor. Overturning those protections today is akin to breaking a promise with the public.

4. Because of the controversial nature of this proposal, it should not be pushed through without public input. At a minimum, legislative hearings should be held.

5. It would be irresponsible of this administration and legislature to weaken state wetland protection laws without a full understanding of how many wetlands, of what type, and where, are likely to be destroyed. Time should also be allowed for an analysis of the potential environmental effects of the proposal. Your decision(s) should be based on the results of that analysis.

6. Economic development and wetland protection can co-exist. Though some wetland loss is to be expected, in the vast majority of cases it is not necessary to destroy wetlands to create jobs.

Who should care about destruction of isolated wetlands?

Duck hunters Upland game hunters (75% of all wildlife species in the state depend on wetlands for some portion of their lifecycle)

Anglers, paddlers, bird watchers, photographers

Citizens living in flood-prone communities Families who care about clean water

Farmers and others concerned about changing land use Amphibian lovers (frogs and salamanders depend upon isolated, fish-free wetlands for breeding)

People who care about the fate of threatened and endangered plants and animals (33% of all threatened and endangered species in Wisconsin rely on wetlands)

In short, all the citizens of Wisconsin should care about isolated wetlands, because no matter who you are or where you live, wetlands benefit your life.

Plant Posse Searches for Invasive Plants

The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge – Winona District and Friends of the Refuge Headwaters invite community members to join the Invasive Plant Posse, a group of staff and volunteers dedicated to finding and mapping invasive plants on the Refuge.

Invasive plants grow quickly and aggressively, taking over the habitat of native plants. The plants are usually introduced by people either intentionally, without knowing the result, or by unintentionally transporting seeds.

These plants have been introduced to almost every part of the 261 mile refuge making it difficult to control their spread.

Refuge managers are asking volunteers to help map the locations of invasive species so they can determine where control will be most effective. The refuge is currently looking for volunteers to help locate invasive plants on both sides of the Mississippi River from Wabasha, MN to Trempealeau, WI.

Volunteers may help by taking a picture of the invasive plant, marking the point on a GPS and sending the information to the Refuge at: uppermississippiriver@fws.gov.

For more information, call Tim Neuman at 507-494-6233 or e-mail timothy_neuman@fws.gov.

Second Annual Pool 5 River Cleanup

Second Annual Pool 5 River Cleanup

Sunday, May 16, 8am to Noon, at Alma’s Dairyland Power Boat Landing or Belvidere Slough Boat Landing

For more information contact Wings over Alma at 608-685-3303

Volunteers should meet at Alma’s Dairyland Power Boat Landing or Buffalo City’s Belvidere Slough Boat Landing (north end of Buffalo City, CTH “00”). Collection will occur from both boat landing sites.

Trempealeau Refuge Bird Festival Saturday May 15

Brochure available here.

“Early Bird” Gets The Worm! 7:00 AM 

Duration: 1.5 hours Take an early morning walk with experienced birders to see who’s flitting around so early in the morning! Meet at the big tent across from the Refuge Office to begin the hike.

Birding Is For Everyone Bird Hikes 9:00 AM & 2:00 PM

Duration: 1 hour Birding is for everyone. Available to all ages, this hour-long hike is leisurely and designed for the novice birder. Binoculars will be available. Meet at the big tent across from the Refuge Office to begin the hike.

Canoeing for the Birds!1:00 PM

Duration: 1.5 hours. Take a canoe tour in search of birds on refuge pools – canoes and lifejackets will be provided or participants may also bring their own. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Meet at the refuge boat ramp. Pre-registration required. Call 608/539-2311 ext. 16.

Prairie Wildflower Walk 2:30 PM

Duration: 1 hour Take a walk in the prairie with Refuge volunteers to see what is blooming! Meet at the big tent across from the Refuge Office.

Night Hike 8:30 PM

Duration: 1.5 hours. Prowl around the Refuge at night with a Refuge guide. Enjoy the Refuge at night as it comes alive with sounds that will keep you curious along the way. Meet at the big tent across from the Refuge Office. Pre-registration required. Call 608/539-2311 ext. 16.

Notes from the February 10 Meeting

Attached are the meeting notes from the February 10 meeting.

Friends of the Refuge Headwaters Minutes 7:00 pm started meeting

Bev Spande, Judy Inman, Heath Hamilton (new Wildlife Refuge Specialist), Brian Pember, Richie Swanson, Mary Stefanski, Len Cross, Todd Paddock, Eric Nelson

• Jan minutes approved • Bev acknowledged and thanked Richie’s walk at Aghaming as a success and his bird club talk • Bev noted the good topics at the Frozen River Film Festival. • Bev noted the article about CapX power line crossing; the site mentioned was the preferred site.

Mary spoke about the power line configuration on each pole and height of poles. • No treasurer’s report • Graphic Images Invoice. Some discrepancy about whether or not it has been paid. Todd will ask

John if he remembers paying or not. • Brian spoke about Fishing Day; hot dogs, etc. for menu; help will arrive at 9:30am to 10am and

will include Todd, Len, Judy, Harold. 11:30am 1st lunch; Noon is 2nd lunch; Len will purchase the food. 40 registered now. Expect 60 kids, plus parents, plus volunteers. Judy will bake cookies, Bev, and Mary too.

• Brian has taken in $150 in partial funding of this event ($100 from the Botcha Fishing Tourney organization). Ice Auger, fishing rigs, and buckets. Activity Stations will be: Fish ID, Coloring, Webster, Buckets.

• We revisited the idea of visiting the Isaac Walton League in Fountain City (meets 3rd Wed of each month). Other groups that might be good linkages include the Winona Boat House Association, the WSU Environmental Club.

• Eric will ask them if we can meet with them on March 10th at the Monarch Tavern • Richie talked about the WSU Environmental Club tree planting event. Heath will help link the

Wildlife Refuge with the WSU Env. Club. Todd will help email the City asking permission

(informing) about the tree planting. • Mary reported that a public meeting will be held Feb 25th Thursday at 6pm City hall Council

Chambers to discuss the Refuge managing Aghaming Park. • The refuge will host a booth at Canoecopia in Madison, WI, March 12‐14. • Mary will be gone March 8‐May 10 in D.C. • Brian reported on the wings over Alma organization. They are interested Pool 4 or 5 clean up.

We will contact Cathy Goodman re partnering with them • Mary noted the Friends Fly‐In to D.C. and a regional meeting in Mid‐April and will get

information from Cindy Samples.

• March 10 was proposed as next meeting with the Isaac Walton League • Eric will send a letter to the editor about the Management of Aghaming Park

Name Newly-Constructed Islands in Pool 8, Contest Deadline April 9

The La Crosse District of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge is asking the public’s help in naming nine newly-constructed islands in Lower Navigation Pool 8.  

These islands are located in a 3,000 acre backwater area between Brownsville, MN and Stoddard, WI and were built as part of the Pool 8 Islands, Phase III, Habitat Rehabilitation and Enhancement Project, funded through the Environmental Management Program.  

Island construction began in 2006 and is expected to continue for another 2-3 years.  Future islands will be named later. 

All nine islands are designed to restore habitat for migratory birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and mammals.  

SOURCE: Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge

Contest rules are:

• The contest is open to the public.

• Entries are due April 9, 2010.

• Suggested island names should reflect the Brownsville, MN, and Stoddard, WI,  area in terms of habitat, geology, geography, history of the river, or fish and wildlife.  

• Proper names will not be considered.

• Each person is limited to one name submission per island (nine entries total). 

• Each submission needs to include a short narrative justifying why your island name should be selected.

• No prizes will be awarded.  Certificates of appreciation will be given to each winner. The name of the individual(s) submitting the selected island name(s) will also be announced with their winning entries.

• Judging will be conducted by representatives from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Minnesota and Wisconsin Departments of Natural Resources, and Mississippi River Wild.

Submit entries by mail to:

Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge

“Island Naming Contest”

555 Lester Ave

Onalaska, WI  54650

E-mail: Kara_Zwickey@fws.gov or Paula_Ogden-Muse@fws.gov

Fax: 608-783-8452

For more information, visit Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge or contact the La Crosse District Office at 608/783-8405, or stop-in the office at 555 Lester Avenue, Onalaska, WI.  Office hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.      

*  *  *

The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge is the most visited refuge in the United States.  The refuge extends 261 miles along the Upper Mississippi River from Wabasha, Minn. to Rock Island, Ill., protecting and preserving habitat for migratory birds, fish, and a variety of other wildlife.  This 240,000 acre refuge was established in 1924.

In addition to being the most visited refuge in the country, the “Upper Miss” Refuge has the added complexity of a major navigation system, including 11 locks and dams, within its boundary.  It is also a world-class fish and wildlife area which harbors 306 species of birds; 119 species of fish; more than 200 active bald eagle nests; thousands of heron and egret nests; spectacular concentrations of canvasback ducks, tundra swans, and white pelicans; and several threatened or endangered species.

Region 3 Friends Conference, April 30-May 2

Dear Friends, Refuge and Hatchery Managers and Supporters:

After consulting with our Regional Directorate, Refuge Chief and planning committee, we are excited to announce the dates for our Region 3 Friends Conference: April 30- May 2. What better way to spend Arbor Day, than among Friends? We hope to make this mini-conference an opportunity to grow, invigorate and sustain our Friends groups throughout Region 3. We hope you'll be able to join us!

...

We look forward to hearing from you! Thank you for taking the time to make our Regional Conference as energizing and effective as it can be.

Sincerely,

Ann Marie Chapman
Visitor Services and Outreach
National Wildlife Refuge System
BHW Federal Building
1 Federal Drive
Fort Snelling, MN 55111
Phone: (612) 713-5463
Fax: (612) 713-5287

Annual Ice Fishing Event, Photos

Ashley Hunt helps a young angler.

Checking out the camera.

Friends Len Cross and Harold Ornes work the kitchen.

Matt Merchlewitz helps a participant with their bucket.

The Great Backyard Bird Count Begins Friday

The 13th annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) will be held from February 12–15, 2010. The GBBC is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent and in Hawaii.

Anyone can take part in the Great Backyard Bird Count, from novice bird watchers to experts. Participants count birds for as little as 15 minutes (or as long as they wish) on one or more days of the event and report their sightings online at www.birdcount.org.

For more information about the GBBC, visit www.birdcount.org. Or contact the Cornell Lab of Ornithology at (800) 843-2473 or (outside the U.S., call (607) 254-2473) or GBBC at Cornell University, or Audubon at Citizen Science at the Audubon Society or (202) 861-2242 ext 3050.

Source: Audubon

FORH Winter 2009-2010 Newsletter, Membership

The newsletter is attached.

Become a Member

Print and return to

Friends of the Refuge Headwaters

51 East 4th St. Suite 203

Winona, MN 55987

Membership Application (Information provided will not be shared)

Name:

____________________________________________________

Address:

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

E-mail Address:

____________________________________________________

Phone Number

Home:

____________________________________________________

Cell:

____________________________________________________

Membership Dues

Blandings Turtle: (Student/Senior) $10

Blue Heron: (Individual) $20

American Egret: (Family) $35

Tundra Swan: (Group) $100

Bald Eagle: (Life) $500

Pelican: (Donation)