Conservation challenges remain part of the conversation and the anniversary panel will examine issues facing the Minnesota River Valley, including water quality, flooding and development along the river’s bluffs.
The Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge is marking 50 years since the land came under federal protection through the U.S, according to The Minnesota Star Tribune. The refuge now spans more than 15,000 acres along roughly 50 miles of trails and river habitat, stretching from Bloomington to Henderson. 26 at the refuge’s visitor center in Bloomington. The event will include a panel featuring current and former refuge managers, along with activities such as archery and a bird walk beginning at 8 a.m.,
Fish and Wildlife Service. Its forests, wetlands, grasslands and river bottoms provide space for birds, insects and other wildlife while giving residents access to nature in a heavily developed part of the state. A 50th anniversary celebration is planned for Sept.
18, when Gooseberry Falls State Park hosts a Pollinator Party from 10 a.m. to noon. The anniversary comes as another natural spectacle unfolds across Minnesota. Monarch butterflies are currently moving through the state on their annual migration toward Mexico. From the North Shore to the Minnesota River Valley, large numbers of monarchs have been spotted, particularly around blazing stars, a late-summer favorite for the butterflies. People hoping to follow the migration can turn to the Project Monarch app and the citizen-science website Journey North, which track sightings and migration activity. Another chance to see the insects is coming Sept. Recent sightings around Two Harbors included thousands of monarchs. The event will also highlight other pollinators and insects, including bumblebees, parasitic wasps and soldier beetles.