Friends of the Upper Mississippi River Refuges

You can be a Friend of the Upper Mississippi River Refuges. An organizational meeting was held on August 22nd for the establishment of a new chapter of the Friends of the Upper Mississippi River Refuges. This tri-state chapter would be fostered through the support of the Mississippi River Discovery Center now in the planning stages. The Center will serve as an interpretive center for Region 3 of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 20 more members are needed to establish a Dubuque area Chapter.

A potluck meeting will be held at 6 PM on October 3rd at Eagle Point Park. You are encouraged to participate to help serve the goals of the organization:

• Support the Multi-use concept
• Inform the public about the benefits of the National Wildlife Refuges
• Provide opportunities for volunteers
• Locate funding for projects and activities to enhance the Refuges
• Inform elected officials about refuge issues

Membership dollars will:

• further public awareness along the river
• provide educational environmental programs
• expand opportunities for public use of the refuges
• improve and create sites for the observation of birds and other wildlife
• support the restoration and preservation of the wetlands and prairies
• be used to help maintain and establish hiking and canoe trails

To conserve the natural and cultural resources of Upper Mississippi River, the Friends group will work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service supporting a complex of national wildlife refuges.

Charlie Winterwood was chosen to be vice chair of the proposed Friends Chapter. Ed Cawley is the chair.See the membership form included with this newsletter.