What We Do
The National Wildlife Refuge System is a series of lands and waters owned and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Wildlife conservation is at the heart of the refuge system. It drives everything we do from the purpose a refuge is established, to the recreational activities offered there, to the resource management tools we use. Selecting the right tools helps us ensure the survival of local plants and animals and helps fulfill the purpose of the refuge.
- Partnerships are crucial to our success. We work with local governments, other state and national agencies and partners to protect wildlife and the habitat they depend on.
- We manage water levels on wetlands to provide a mosaic of habitat conditions for waterfowl, waterbirds and other wildlife
- Efforts to control invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.
Learn more about invasive species through integrated pest management including selective cutting, prescribed burning, mowing, grazing and herbicides treatment are conducted annually to maintain native habitats - We protect and restore important remnant prairies and savannas by removing non-desirable woody vegetation, and promote diversity of native grassland habitat through prescribed fire
- As development encroaches on rural areas, we convert former agricultural fields to diverse native prairie using local seed sources, utilize prescribed fire and other management techniques
Menu
Management and Conservation
Refuges use a wide range of land management tools based on the best science available. Some refuges use prescribed fires to mimic natural fires that would have cleared old vegetation from the land helping native plants regenerate and local wildlife to thrive. The management tools used are aimed at ensuring a balanced conservation approach where both wildlife and people will benefit. At Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge our conservation toolbox includes:
- Prescribed fire
- Habitat restoration
- Invasive species controls and mitigation
- Habitat protection from development and human impacts
- Working with our neighbors, other agencies, and local organizations
Fire Management
Refuge lands evolved with fire and continue to depend on periodic burns to remain productive wildlife habitat. Prescribed fire is one of several tools Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge uses to restore prairies and oak savannas and reduce the risk of wildfires near populated areas.
Restoring habitat with fire
A prescribed burn prescribed burn
A prescribed burn is the controlled use of fire to restore wildlife habitat, reduce wildfire risk, or achieve other habitat management goals. We have been using prescribed burn techniques to improve species habitat since the 1930s.
Learn more about prescribed burn is the controlled use of fire to restore wildlife habitat. These burns are carefully planned. Fire professionals consider wind, humidity, temperature, and vegetation conditions, as well as smoke dispersion and nearby buildings, when planning a controlled fire. Safety is always the top priority. Due to weather variables, the exact days and times may not be known until the day before or the day of each burn. Ideal conditions can usually be found within a 6-week window in March, April or May; and again in October and November.
2024 Priority Burn Areas
Minnesota landscapes typically burned every 3-5 years, and refuge managers mimic this natural cycle by applying prescribed fire to refuge units similarly. These refuge units and Waterfowl Production Areas (WPAs) are prioritized for the 2024 spring burn season:
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
- Bloomington Education and Visitor Center, Bloomington, MN
- Rapids Lake Visitor Center, Carver, MN
- Louisville Swamp Islands Unit, Shakopee, MN
- Jessenland Unit, Sibley County
Minnesota Valley Wetland Management District
- Perbix WPA, Carver County
- High Island WPA, Sibley County
- Hahn Lake WPA, Sibley County
- Hartung WPA, Sibley County
- Delehanty WPA, LeSueur County
- Perch WPA, Blue Earth County
- Lincoln WPA, Blue Earth County
- Watonwan North WPA, Blue Earth County
Benefits of Fire
Though it appears a destructive force, many plants and animals evolved with and depend on fire. Visit any recent burn area and you’ll see new sprouts within one week, and lush, new growth of native grasses, sedges, and wildflowers within one month. The benefits of fire are numerous:
- Fire increases soil fertility: burning decaying plant matter releases nutrients like carbon, phosphorous, and sulfur needed for plant growth.
- Reduces wildfire risk: dead and decaying vegetation is ‘fuel’ for wildfires. Removing this layer decreases risk to communities.
- Promotes seed germination and plant growth: the black char and ash left after a burn absorbs sunlight, warming the ground and encouraging seed germination.
- Controls woody and invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.
Learn more about invasive species : invasive and woody species are not adapted to fire like native plants. Fire can set back encroachment by woody and invasive and keep prairie and oak savanna ecosystems from turning into forests.
Habitat Restoration
Round Lake
Round Lake in Arden Hills, MN is managed as a unit of Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge (refuge). This site includes approximately 154 acres of shoreline and lake, and an additional 29 acres upland. View map here.
The Future of Round Lake
The refuge remains actively engaged in the clean-up of the former Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant, which contaminated Round Lake. The Army has prepared a Proposed Plan to document the preferred alternative of those evaluated in the Feasibility Study for Round Lake. In September 2022, the Army issued a Record of Decision- Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant Round Lake Operable Unit, New Brighton/Arden Hills/Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant Superfund Site, Ramsey County, Minnesota. This Record of Decision officially selects Alternative 4, Option A to remedy contaminated sediments on site.
With selection of Alternative 4, the refuge will be able to move forward fulfilling its goal of transforming this space into a safe and welcoming place for both wildlife and people to enjoy.
For more information on Round Lake, please visit the key documents page.
Preferred Alternative
- Alternative 4 is the only alternative that supports and promotes healthy wildlife populations and allows for safe outdoor recreation on Round Lake.
- Removal and disposal of hazardous substances and contaminants will allow the refuge to support and build a community green space, essential to wildlife and people.
- Alternatives that allow the contaminants to remain in the lake bottom do not support a healthy ecosystem for wildlife or people.
History of Round Lake
Round lake was incorporated into the U.S. Army’s Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (TCAAP) in the 1940s. Ownership of Round Lake was transferred from the U.S. Army to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) National Wildlife Refuge System in 1974 and the area is designated as the Round Lake Unit of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge.
Prior to the discovery of contamination, Round Lake was considered a valuable area for migrating waterfowl and other water birds. It was selected to become part of the National Wildlife Refuge System because of its known migratory bird use, the quality of the lake and surrounding habitat, and the recognized threat from development to it and similar areas on the edge of an expanding metropolitan area.
Active management of the lake’s water levels ceased in the mid-1980s based on a Refuge decision to use high water levels to separate wildlife and the public as much as possible from contaminants found in the lake’s sediments. At this time, public use was restricted to upland areas of the Unit.
Once the lake is safe for people and wildlife, the refuge will work with the community to consider expanding opportunities to enjoy the entire unit.
Our Services
Federal Recreation Passes
There is no entrance fee or parking permit required to visit the refuge.
Staff and volunteers are issuing America The Beautiful passes on Wednesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Bloomington Education and Visitor Center (3815 American Blvd E, Bloomington, MN 55425). Call us for any questions or pass availability at 952-854-5900.
Some passes are available for purchase online. To purchase a Senior Annual, Annual, Military Annual Access or Senior Lifetime Pass, visit the U.S. Geological Survey Online Store. You can find more information about these passes and fee areas, order online or plan your trip to federal public lands at Recreation.gov.
Passes available:
- Senior Lifetime Pass ($80)
- Senior Annual Pass ($20)
- America the Beautiful Annual Pass ($80)
- Military Lifetime Pass (Free to veterans. Free for Gold Star Families, with completed online voucher)
- Military Annual Pass (Free to active military, veterans and Gold Star Families)
- Access Pass (Free, with conditions)
- Every Kid in a Park Pass (Free for 4th graders, with completed online voucher)
NOTE: Per regulations, passes may not be given as a gift and must be signed at the time of purchase, except for the America the Beautiful Annual Pass.Picture identification will be required at the time of purchase, and some passes require additional documentation.
Law Enforcement
Law enforcement officers at Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge help visitors enjoy the refuge and understand and obey wildlife protection laws. Refuge law enforcement officers work closely with state and local government offices to enforce federal and state hunting regulations that protect wildlife from illegal take and preserve legitimate hunting opportunities. Officers also play a role in the successful management of refuge lands and maintaining high quality visitor experiences.
Questions regarding law enforcement or violations on the refuge should be directed to a federal wildlife officer at 952-858-0711. General questions about hunting, fishing or other regulations can be directed to the visitor center at 952-854-5900, or via email at MinnesotaValley@fws.gov.