Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge

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Bloomington, MN
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge

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This is an official page of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
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To learn more about our social media efforts, and to find a list of official USFWS social media sites, please visit our social media hub:http://www.fws.gov/home/socialmedia/

Our agency is known for our scientific excellence, our stewardship of lands and natural resources, and our dedicated conservation and wildlife professionals. While we hope that this page will help you stay connected to our work, we also hope that it will keep us connected to you and the issues you care about. Your participation on this page is vital and all feedback is welcome--both good and bad. Your perspective is welcomed and we hope that conversations about the Service can be productive, fun, and engaging.

09/11/2026

👀Sneak peek!!👀 Artist and Fish and Wildlife Service employee Karen Ceballos is prepping this wildly festive community art piece for Nature Fest! 🖌️🎨

Be sure to stop by the festival tomorrow to help put the finishing touches on this piece and check out all the performances and activities. Festival runs 1pm-5pm at the Bloomington Visitor Center!

Visit the event page for update schedule and activities! https://www.facebook.com/share/1F7mDjeB2u/

09/08/2026

🎶One of these things is not like the other🎶

Can you spot the misfit amongst the Egrets spotted along Long Meadow Lake Trail last week??

09/07/2026

🚧American Blvd Construction Update🚧
Improvements are being made to American Blvd East but don't let the road work fool you- the Bloomington Education and Visitor Center and trails remain accessible during construction!

09/05/2026

🎉We are just one week away from Nature Fest 2026! Join us for a day of music, art, and food as we celebrate the cultures that make up our community and the nature that connects us all. Everyone is welcome at this FREE event!

💮Saturday, September 12th
💮1pm - 5pm
💮Bloomington Education and Visitor Center (3815 American Blvd. E)

The first 200 people to arrive will also receive free meal tickets to be redeemed at the food trucks!
Huellas Latinas Indigenous Roots Cultural Arts Center Bloomington MN City Government

https://www.fws.gov/event/nature-fest-cultivating-community

09/04/2026

"Ready for light speed? 1... 2... 3!"⚡🐢💨

When a ranger tried to help this painted turtle out of the road its response was "catch me if you can!" Though much faster in the water, these reptiles can move quicker than you may expect on land in small bursts to escape threats.

Video description: a turtle with a dark shell and yellow markings on its extremities moves quickly across a dirt road.

Video by Kelly Quain/USFWS

09/03/2026

🦋558 monarchs tagged over 2 weeks!!🦋
Thank you to all the volunteers, partners and over 700 community members who participated in this community-science project that helps scientists learn more about monarch migration.

Did you catch a monarch? We'd love to see your photos in the comments!

09/01/2026

The September 7th submission deadline for the Find Your Wild Art Contest is just around the corner- don't miss your chance to help us celebrate a milestone birthday and have your artwork highlighted during our 50th Birthday Bash! For more information on rules and how to enter, please visit: https://www.fws.gov/story/minnesota-valley-national-wildlife-refuge-50th-anniversary

Painting featured in photo by Logan Sauer (not Puddles)

08/29/2026

Speaking of bats...🦇

Refuge staff joined biologists from the MN DNR (Minnesota Biological Survey and FWS Ecological Services this week to survey bats on the refuge. Using a large, fine net called a mist net, 22 bats were captured!

Did you know that some bats migrate? Two bats captured were Eastern Red Bats who migrate to warmer climates for the winter. Scientists are trying to learn more about their migration and winter habitats, so these two bats were fitted with radio transmitters to collect data on their journey!

Photos by Nicole Menard/USFWS

08/28/2026

📆Save the date for this year's Minnesota Bat Festival! Come celebrate and learn about the unique role that bats play in our world during International Bat Week!

🦇Saturday, October 31st
🦇10 am - 4 pm
🦇Bloomington Visitor Center

This FREE event offers activities for bat lovers of all ages. Stay tuned for more details! https://www.facebook.com/share/18mMDZXvoE/

Address

3815 American Boulevard E
Bloomington, MN
55425

Telephone

+19528545900

Website

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/minnesota-valley

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