Minnesota Valley Refuge Friends

Your donation makes you our FRIEND! 

Your donation provides invaluable support our education, arts, and community programs.

Just a few of the programs that the Friend’s funds:

The Blue Goose Bus Fund - we provide free transportation for field trips to the Refuge. In 2024, we provided more than $30,000 in free bus rides to students, teachers, and families.

Countless volunteer hours to assist in environmental learning and events at the Refuge.

Secured funding to secure art exhibits at Confluence Gallery, stipends for artists and openings.

Nature-Based Little Free Libraries - providing up-to-date books to the community.

Refuge Buddies Programs - Our initiative to provide support to passionate individuals and their organizations who are providing mentoring opportunities for those in their own communities. This program provides free and accessible birding, hiking, and fishing programs respectively, with a target demographic of BIPOC, LGTBQIA+, and underserved communities.

School yard habitat developments - Transforming school grounds into a place that engages the entire school community in habitat restoration.

Support for on-site events like the annual Bat Festival and Lantern Walks.

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Minnesota Valley Refuge Friends is the citizen support group of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Headquartered in Bloomington, the Refuge continues for 70 miles along the Minnesota River to Henderson. 

Since its founding in 1976 by motivated residents, it has remained free and open to everyone.  With more than 46 miles of trails and two visitor centers, our Refuge is unique in its urban setting — tucked within the shadows of the Mall of America and the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport — and is within walking distance of public transit. 

OUR MISSION

Minnesota Valley Refuge Friends is dedicated to supporting the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge in its mission to "conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people." We do this by raising awareness, recruiting volunteers, and securing money for activities at the Refuge.