Friends of the Minnesota Valley

Friends of the Minnesota Valley works to protect and enhance the natural resources of the Minnesota River Watershed.

Mission

Vision: A Healthy, Sustainable Minnesota River Valley

Friends of the Minnesota Valley envisions a healthy Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Minnesota River, and surrounding lands and waters. The Friends envision a core Refuge and River constituency of citizens, elected officials and landowners who are educated on the importance of the River and the Refuge. We envision partnerships that promote habitat conservation, improved water quality of the Minnesota River and its Watershed, and sustainable land use.

Mission: Conserving the Resources of the Minnesota River Watershed

Friends of the Minnesota Valley works to protect and enhance the natural resources of the Minnesota River Watershed, including the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge

Programs

The Board of Directors of the Friends of the Minnesota Valley has set four major goals. 

1. Stream and River Bank Stabilization - Erosion from stream and river banks is a major source of silt moving down the Minnesota River into the Mississippi River and eventually finding its way to the Gulf of Mexico.
2. Development and Construction of the Minnesota River Trail and the Minnesota Valley Trail
3. Continue efforts to improve the Water Quality of the Minnesota River - The River Watch Program is a high school based student activity through which teams of high school students are trained on basic river water quality data collection and reporting procedures using Minnesota Pollution Control Agency protocols.   Friends of the Minnesota Valley has worked with farmers, agricultural organizations, citizens and volunteers as well as local units of government to improve the water quality in the Minnesota River. 
4. Form partnerships to accomplish these goals and work with these partners to help them accomplish their similar goals. 

Become a Friends Member and help us achieve this goal!