Friends of the Refuge Headwaters

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Friends of the Refuge Headwaters We are a citizen-based, non-profit organization. FORH also has a Fishing Line Recycling Project.

We work with and support the Winona District of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge in meeting the refuge vision and goals. FORH hosts or assists refuge staff with fishing events for youth and others throughout the year, canoe/kayak outings, bird watching outings, our photography contest, parades, river clean-ups, planting trees, removing invasive plants, and biological studies. FORH members also serve on our board and take part in monthly member meetings, as well as raise funds, find and write grants, and partner with other organizations.

Prairie Island D**e Clean-up – October 14Prairie Island D**e Clean-up - Wednesday, October 14th from 10 am -12 pm. Help ...
10/08/2026

Prairie Island D**e Clean-up – October 14

Prairie Island D**e Clean-up - Wednesday, October 14th from 10 am -12 pm. Help us care for the refuge by joining our clean-up along the Prairie Island D**e. We'll meet at McNally Boat Landing (next to the Prairie Island Campground in Winona) to hand out gloves, picker-upper sticks, and trash bags. Please wear sturdy shoes/boots and dress for the weather. We will cancel if it is raining.

Prairie Island D**e Clean-up – Wednesday, October 14th from 10 am -12 pm. Help us care for the refuge by joining our clean-up along the Prairie Island D**e. We’ll meet at McNally Boat Landing (next to the Prairie Island Campground in Winona) to hand out gloves, picker-upper sticks, and trash bag...

Swan Presentation – October 13thSwan Presentation - Tuesday, October 13th from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm at Sobieski Park Lodge...
10/08/2026

Swan Presentation – October 13th

Swan Presentation - Tuesday, October 13th from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm at Sobieski Park Lodge (965 7th Street, Winona, MN 55987). Doors open at 6:15 pm for the p***c. Friends members who have previously sent an RSVP will have dinner and give aways at 5:30 pm. The Upper Mississippi River is one of the most important migration staging areas in North America for the eastern population of tundra swans, a species that breeds in the arctic of Alaska and Canada, and winters in the mid-Atlantic coastal region of the United States....

Swan Presentation – Tuesday, October 13th from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm at Sobieski Park Lodge (965 7th Street, Winona, MN 55987). Doors open at 6:15 pm for the p***c. Friends members who have previously sent an RSVP will have dinner and give aways at 5:30 pm. The Upper Mississippi River is one of the.....

Project COMPASS Annual PicnicProject COMPASS is hosting our annual picnic and fishing event next Wednesday, June 24th, a...
06/17/2026

Project COMPASS Annual Picnic

Project COMPASS is hosting our annual picnic and fishing event next Wednesday, June 24th, at the Hiawatha Valley Marine Shelter on West Lake Winona! The event starts at 5:00 PM, and volunteers are invited to arrive at 4:30 PM. We’re looking for additional volunteers to help with food, cheering on participants, or assisting with fishing. No fishing experience is required—just bring your enthusiasm and a willingness to help make this a memorable event for everyone involved. If you’re ready to jump in and make a difference, please RSVP: [email protected] or call 608-769-4408. We’d love to have you join us!

Project COMPASS is hosting our annual picnic and fishing event next Wednesday, June 24th, at the Hiawatha Valley Marine Shelter on West Lake Winona! The event starts at 5:00 PM, and volunteers are invited to arrive at 4:30 PM. We’re looking for additional volunteers to help with food, cheering on ...

May Friends MeetingThe Friends of Refuge Headwaters monthly meeting is next week Thursday, May 28th at 4:15 p.m. at the ...
05/22/2026

May Friends Meeting

The Friends of Refuge Headwaters monthly meeting is next week Thursday, May 28th at 4:15 p.m. at the Winona District Office (102 Walnut Street, Suite 205, Winona, MN 55987). We’d love to have you join us—whether you’re interested in learning more about the Friends group or looking to get involved in planning upcoming events and activities on the refuge. Click here for the meeting agenda…...

The Friends of Refuge Headwaters monthly meeting is next week Thursday, May 28th at 4:15 p.m. at the Winona District Office (102 Walnut Street, Suite 205, Winona, MN 55987). We’d love to have you join us—whether you’re interested in learning more about the Friends group or looking to get invol...

Screening of Spirit of the Driftless: Preserving our LegacyThe Friends of the Refuge Headwaters (Friends) invite you to ...
04/05/2026

Screening of Spirit of the Driftless: Preserving our Legacy

The Friends of the Refuge Headwaters (Friends) invite you to a free screening of Spirit of the Driftless: Preserving our Legacy, on Wednesday, May 6th, 7:00 PM, at Sobieski Lodge. The doors will open at 6:40. This short documentary by Sustainable Driftless, Inc. captures breath-taking aerial views with raptors soaring over the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge (Refuge), which is used by about 40% of the nation’s waterfowl as a migratory route....

The Friends of the Refuge Headwaters (Friends) invite you to a free screening of Spirit of the Driftless: Preserving our Legacy, on Wednesday, May 6th, 7:00 PM, at Sobieski Lodge. The doors will open at 6:40. This short documentary by Sustainable Driftless, Inc. captures breath-taking aerial views w...

February Friends MeetingThe Friends of Refuge Headwaters will be hosting their monthly meeting this Thursday, February 2...
02/23/2026

February Friends Meeting

The Friends of Refuge Headwaters will be hosting their monthly meeting this Thursday, February 26 at 4:15 pm at the Winona District Office (102 Walnut Street, Suite 205, Winona, MN 55987). Join the Friends to learn more or to become a participant in planning upcoming events and activities on the refuge. Click here for the agenda.

The Friends of Refuge Headwaters will be hosting their monthly meeting this Thursday, February 26 at 4:15 pm at the Winona District Office (102 Walnut Street, Suite 205, Winona, MN 55987). Join the Friends to learn more or to become a participant in planning upcoming events and activities on the ref...

Volunteer Updates and Upcoming Friends MeetingThank you to everyone who helped us on Saturday for the Annual Kids' Ice F...
01/14/2026

Volunteer Updates and Upcoming Friends Meeting

Thank you to everyone who helped us on Saturday for the Annual Kids' Ice Fishing Event! The event was a success with 50 kids attending. Many of the families I spoke with had never been ice fishing before. We couldn't have done this event without all of your help and without the donations of food, beverages, and tent from the Friends of Refuge Headwaters....

Thank you to everyone who helped us on Saturday for the Annual Kids’ Ice Fishing Event! The event was a success with 50 kids attending. Many of the families I spoke with had never been ice fishing before. We couldn’t have done this event without all of your help and without the donations of food...

Ice Fishing for KidsThe annual Kid’s Ice Fishing Event is scheduled for Saturday, January 10, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to no...
12/20/2025

Ice Fishing for Kids

The annual Kid’s Ice Fishing Event is scheduled for Saturday, January 10, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to noon at the McNally Boat Landing on Prairie Island Drive, Winona, MN. This event is co-sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Friends of the Refuge Headwaters. Come fish with us! Children (recommended ages 6 through 13) and their families are invited to join in this free event....

The annual Kid’s Ice Fishing Event is scheduled for Saturday, January 10, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to noon at the McNally Boat Landing on Prairie Island Drive, Winona, MN. This event is co-sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Friends of the Refuge Headwaters. Come fish with us! Children...

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102 Walnut Street, Suite 205
Winona, MN
55987

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