Friends of Rydell and Glacial Ridge Refuges Association

06/24/2026

Happy ! 🎉🐝🦋🐛🦇🪲🐞🐦

In 2007, Pollinator Partnership (P2) worked hard to gain the U.S. Senate’s unanimous approval and designation of a week in June as “National Pollinator Week”. This effort marked a necessary step toward addressing the urgent issue of declining pollinator populations.

Now in 2026, people throughout the month of June and around the world, take this time to recognize the economic value and ecosystem services provided by bees, birds, butterflies, bats, beetles, moths, wasps, and flies.

🔗For Pollinator Week activities, planting resources, limited-edition merch, and educational posters, click the link in our bio.

Stay tuned on our Instagram account for special Pollinator Week giveaway events, collabs, and announcements throughout the week!❤

Photos: Amber Barnes and Anthony Colangelo

06/03/2026

👏 The best highway cleanup crew!

⏰ Your time is appreciated and always valued. Highway 32 is a little more beautiful thanks to all of you!

06/02/2026

Friends - tonight is our annual highway cleanup along our adopted stretch of Highway 32! 🛣

Meet at 5:00pm at the old Lee Nursery site, approximately 5 miles south of highway 2.

We would love if you could help us make our section of highway beautiful!

It may be a little warm, so please bring water and also dress appropriately for the season and terrain. Bug spray and gloves are also not a bad idea!

Bags and vests will be provided.

05/28/2026

🐻 Our intern Hannah found some treasures while out walking Tamarac Trail this week - bear AND moose tracks! 🫎

🫎 Mama moose looks like she may have been accompanied by a young calf based on the little track alongside!

05/20/2026

🐝🐝🐝

🐝Happy World Bee Day! 🐝

There are over 20,000 bee species worldwide and 4,000 are native to the United States. Did you know that Minnesota is home to more than 500 species of native bees? Minnesota’s diverse bees range in size, shape and color: blue orchard bees, green sweat bees, big fuzzy black and gold bumble bees just to name a few.

While native bees provide many services for us as humans, their innate beauty is more than enough reason for us to appreciate and care for these little critters! As you meander through your garden or local park today, be sure to say hello to any bees you see along the way.

Photo is of a White-clothed Longhorn Bee (Xenoglossa albata) coming in for a landing. The flower is a Dalea.

05/12/2026

New Bog Walk at Sundew Bog - coming soon!

Please mind the "mess" - the old bog walk was removed this winter to make way for a newer and safer one.

04/29/2026