We at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service know that access to America’s public lands increases your quality of life. National wildlife refuges across the country offer quality opportunities to connect with special places in a variety of ways. Before any activity can be allowed on a national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
Learn more about national wildlife refuge , we must first evaluate that use through a Compatibility Determination.
The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge is updating and re-evaluating to what extent and how environmental education and interpretation occurs on the refuge. We are seeking public comment on the re-evaluation of this use on the refuge. You are invited to review the draft compatibility determination document that includes our justification and analysis. Environmental education and interpretation have been conducted on the refuge since it was established in the 1920s and were evaluated and found compatible in 2006. There are no use changes to these existing programs occurring under this re-evaluation, although this draft does identify potential construction of a new visitor contact station in the McGregor District of the refuge as a compatible use. Environmental education and interpretation are priority public uses and provide unique experiences to visitors helping them to connect with nature and the natural ecosystem. These uses also help fulfill the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System and the purposes of the refuge.
You can contact the refuge at 507-494-6221 or stephanie_edeler@fws.gov to request either printed or electronic copies and provide comments. Please let us know if you need the document in an alternative format.
