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.      

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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.