Mission Statement
Minnesota Valley Refuge Friends assists the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge in its mission to “work with others to conserve, protect, and enhance the fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefits of the American people.”
Impact and Programs
Accomplishments
Transport thousands of students from nearby school districts during the 2019-2020 school year to and from the Refuge with the Blue Goose Bus Fund. Schools where at least half of the student population receives free or reduced-cost lunches qualify for this fund.
Provide countless volunteer hours to staff the front desks at the Refuge visitor centers and operate the Blufftop Nature Store, assist in environmental education learning, and support events both at the Refuge and throughout the community, including the Minneapolis Monarch Festival and Minnesota Bat Festival. During the pandemic, we’ve supported the Refuge staff in its efforts to pivot to virtual events and establish the Minnesota Valley Refuge Friends YouTube channel, now home to a treasure trove of online environmental education resources.
Provide support for five interns and temporary employees at the Refuge in community outreach, conservation, and environmental education, giving them opportunities to grow and develop as conservation leaders.
Conduct habitat-related projects on the Refuge, including goat grazing to remove invasive species at the Bloomington Education and Visitor Center and to begin testing of chloride in Ike’s Creek, a restored brook trout steps away from the Mall of America.
Work with Refuge staff to secure a partnership with Bloomington theater and visual arts nonprofit organization Artistry to rethink the Refuge’s gallery space and its use.
Create a new urban mentoring program for youth to learn an outdoor activity both on and off the Refuge. We worked with Refuge staff to establish a birding program with the nonprofit organization Urban Bird Collective.
Continue funding the position of our organization’s first-ever staff member and Executive Director Sara Blood. She has modernized our organization’s operations and has placed us on firmer footing both financially and culturally.
Current Goals
Further wean from financial dependence of Minnesota Valley Trust
Secure program funding for identified in FYE 2021 budget
Maintain and increase membership
Resume member programming
Publish first annual report
Complete Charities Review Council Assessment
Improve GuideStar standing from silver to gold
Community or Constituency Served
Along the Minnesota River between Bloomington to Henderson, Minnesota
Greater Twin Cities
Global - we often have visitors stop by from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and Mall of America
Geographic Area Served
Along the Minnesota River between Bloomington to Henderson, Minnesota
Greater Twin Cities
Global - we often have visitors stop by from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and Mall of America
