Since the minnesota valley national wildlife refuge was established in 1976 citizens have been involved with the expansion and enhancement of the over 14000 acres of protected habitat for both…

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service awarded a $364,238 Cooperative Agreement to the Minnesota Valley Refuge Friends under the Youth Engagement, Education, and Employment program (CFDA 15.676) on February 5, 2024. The purpose of this funding is to expand and empower long-term transformational relationships between the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge and community partners to serve as a community asset and increase the collective conservation impacts of the refuge. This will be achieved by cultivating new local partnerships, providing meaningful nature and outdoor education and experiences for BIPOC communities, and building the next generation of conservation leaders through paid internships and outdoor experiences.

Since the minnesota valley national wildlife refuge was established in 1976 citizens have been involved with the expansion and enhancement of the over 14000 acres of protected habitat for both wildlife and lovers of the outdoorsnow considered a priority urban national wildlife refuge under the urban wildlife conservation program the refuge is guided by the standards of excellence where IT strives to be an asset within the local community and a model of community centered wildlife conservation for the US fish and wildlife servicethe purpose of the nonprofit minnesota valley refuge friends is to assist the refuge in accomplishing its mission of working with others to conserve protect and enhance the fish wildlife plants and their habitats for the continuing benefits of the american peoplethe friends promote the refuge and support the various educational and conservation programs including the uwcp to create a connected conservation community by ensuring everyone has the opportunity to learn about discover and enjoy the great outdoorswith this funding the friends will expand and empower long term transformational relationships with community partners to serve as a community asset and increase the refuges collective impacts of its conservation effortsthis will be achieved bycultivating and strengthening new local partnershipproviding meaningful nature and outdoor education and experiences for bipoc communitiesbuilding the next generation of conversation leadership through a variety of paid internships and outdoor experiences