Audubon Upper Mississippi River

08/13/2026

07/30/2026

🦇✨ Not all migration heroes have feathers!

Meet this American Hoary Bat, a tiny traveler carrying a Motus tag that allowed researchers to follow its incredible journey from California in September of 2025 across the Southwest, into Texas, and finally to Minnesota. Along the way, it was detected by five different MN Motus stations, helping us piece together a story that would otherwise remain hidden in the night sky.

Every detection is a reminder of the power of the Motus Wildlife Tracking System. A network of automated radio telemetry stations across the continent is helping scientists track the movements of birds, bats, butterflies, and other wildlife, revealing migration routes, stopover sites, and habitat needs that are critical for conservation.

Now, we know what some of you are thinking…"isn't Audubon supposed to be about birds?"

Well, technically yes, but bats are the only mammals capable of true flight, which feels close enough to honorary bird status for us!

We're proud to partner with the Minnesota Zoo to grow the Motus network across Minnesota, helping uncover the remarkable journeys of wildlife large and small, feathered and furred alike.

Because whether it's a warbler crossing continents or a hoary bat cruising through the night, every migration story matters.

07/16/2026

Audubon Conservation Ranching is growing in more than our region. Check out the good news from Montana!

In Montana, there are 516,980 acres of Audubon Certified Bird-Friendly Land spread across 28 ranches. As of last month, that total now includes four ranches managed by Old Salt Co-Op which meet strict standards for habitat management, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare, all verified through third-party audits—great news for species like the Chestnut-collared Longspur.

07/13/2026

🐦 Where has this Spotted Sandpiper been?

Thanks to a recent detection at our Motus tower at Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge, we can take a remarkable glimpse into this bird's migration journey.

The map below shows the movements of a Spotted Sandpiper that was tagged in Colombia and later detected by the Motus tower installed through a partnership between Audubon Upper Mississippi River and the Minnesota Zoo. The bird's route connects wetlands, rivers, and coastlines across thousands of miles, demonstrating just how interconnected bird conservation is across the Western Hemisphere.

Motus is an international wildlife tracking network that uses automated radio telemetry stations to detect tiny tags carried by birds, bats, and insects. Every time a tagged animal passes within range of a tower, it leaves behind another clue about where it traveled, when it migrated, and which habitats it depends on along the way.

The growing Motus network in Minnesota is helping researchers answer important conservation questions:

✅ Where do birds stop during migration?
✅ Which habitats are most important for migratory species?
✅ How are migration patterns changing over time?

Each new tower expands our ability to understand and protect migratory birds. This single detection at Agassiz NWR connects Minnesota to an international conservation story stretching from northern South America to the Canadian boreal forest.

Pretty amazing what we can learn from one small shorebird! 🌎✨



This project is funded by Minnesota's Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund.

07/09/2026

🎨🐦 450 Young Conservationists Help Bring Birds to Life in Hopkins!

We're thrilled to celebrate an inspiring conservation and arts collaboration at Alice Smith Elementary School in Hopkins.

This spring, the school's entire student body, approximately 450 students in grades K–5, participated in creating four large-scale murals featuring vulnerable Minnesota birds: the Henslow's Sparrow, Cerulean Warbler, Northern Goshawk, and Boreal Owl. Every student had a voice in the project by helping select the bird species and contributing a painted square to the finished murals.

The project began with a presentation from the Minnesota DNR about bird vulnerability and evolved into a school-wide learning experience, with students exploring bird conservation through art and education. The completed murals were unveiled during the school's annual art show and will soon be displayed on the exterior of the school.

By connecting creativity, community, and conservation, these students are helping raise awareness about birds that need our attention—and inspiring the next generation of conservation leaders.

👏 Congratulations to the students, teachers, families, and partners who made this project possible!

06/25/2026

Big journeys are being tracked from right here in Minnesota!

Audubon's partnership with he Minnesota Zoo to deploy Motus Wildlife Tracking System towers has expanded this spring and summer with seven new tracking stations across the state. Already, we're seeing remarkable discoveries.

Recently, several stations detected Lesser Yellowlegs that were tagged in southern Chile just a few months ago. These incredible shorebirds traveled more than 6,000 miles (10,000km) in a matter of weeks on their way north.

This image is from a bird tagged by Southern Chile Shorebirds on March 5th and it passed by the station on the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, MN yesterday on June 24th!

Each detection helps researchers better understand migration routes and the challenges birds face across continents, providing valuable information to support wildlife conservation.

This project is funded by Minnesota's Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund.

06/12/2026

This week, Audubon proudly partnered with MNGLCA to bring 70+ birders and farmers together for the first Feathers on the Farm event, hosted by John Meyer of Rock Dell Forage Farms in Stewartville, MN!

Our own Krysten Zummo, Driftless Range Ecologist, led a bird and farm tour alongside John, speaking to the benefits of the Audubon Conservation Ranching Program while also showcasing how rotational grazing is good for the herd AND the bird.

Attendees also heard from our partners at the Xerces Society and Pheasants Forever to learn about native forage benefits to pollinators, wildlife and grazers.

📸Rob Schultz, Audubon UMR

05/27/2026

We are thrilled to partner with MNGLCA to sponsor the Feathers on the Farm on June 9, 2026 at Rock Dell Forage Farms in Stewartville, MN! Learn more about this fun event from Leah Matzke and John Mayer, producers and MNGLCA representatives. Both Leah and John's operations are also currently pursuing certification through the Audubon Conservation Ranching Program!

Minnesota Live is living up to its title as your official bird station with a vibrant upcoming event that brings together nature lovers and wide-open prairie landscapes. Feathers on the Farm is a one-of-a-kind experience at Rock Dell Forage Farms in Stewartville where visitors can discover how Minne...

05/19/2026

The Outdoor Heritage Fund bill passed at 8:30pm Sunday, just a few hours before the 2026 Minnesota legislative session adjourned for the year. While it awaits Governor Walz’s signature, we can celebrate this nearly $200M investment in Minnesota’s environment. Thank you to all who took action and contacted elected officials. Your voices made a difference.

A procedural hangup in the deadlocked Minnesota House threatens to derail nearly $200 million in funding for habitat conservation and restoration across the state.

05/15/2026

"The organizations represented here today may work in different landscapes and communities, but we stand united in one message: Please set aside procedural disagreements, find common ground, and pass the Outdoor Heritage Fund bill before adjournment."

Full press conference: