FEATURES Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge

The Bloomington Visitor Center serves as a gateway to a Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge adventure.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THIA XIONG/USFWS

The Nature Play Area at the Old Cedar Avenue Trailhead offers a chance for children to build an eagle’s nest.

Step into nature in the metro’s backyard

Minnesota Valley refuge offers outdoor adventure

One of the great amenities in the southwest metro is access to the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Just a stone’s throw from the metro, one can find beautiful views, thousands of acres of nature, and more than 45 miles of trails.

The refuge suggested a few things for visitors to explore.

STOP BY THE VISITOR CENTERS

Gain insight of what to explore on the refuge at its visitor centers, located in Bloomington (3815 American Blvd. E.) and Carver (15865 Rapids Lake Road).

Staff and volunteers can direct visitors to their next adventure on the refuge, share recent wildlife sightings, or lend seasonal outdoor equipment like binoculars. Explore exhibits or bird watch at the feeders.

Check out the refuge’s website for updated open hours: www. fws.gov/refuge/minnesota-valley.

EXPLORE THE NATURE PLAY AREA

For families with children looking to get outside, check out the Nature Play Area at the Old Cedar Avenue Trailhead, 9551 Old Cedar Ave. S., Bloomington. Think playground, but without the metal or plastic swings and slides.

It offers activities like building an eagle’s nest and beaver dam, crossing a log bridge and building a stick fort. In addition, there is a free little library filled with nature-themed children’s books. Restrooms and running water are available onsite, with access to a handful of trails and viewing platforms from the trailhead.

MINNESOTA VALLEY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Hours: Trails open sunrise to sunset every day of the year Cost: Free Info: www.fws.gov/refuge/ Minnesota_Valley; 952-8545900 Location: Here are a few places to visit in the Minnesota River National Wildlife

REFUGE HEADQUARTERS AND BLOOMINGTON EDUCATION AND VISITOR CENTER

3815 American Blvd. E., Bloomington

RAPIDS LAKE EDUCATION AND VISITOR CENTER

15865 Rapids Lake Road, Carver

LOUISVILLE SWAMP UNIT

3801 145th St. W., Shakopee

BASS PONDS UNIT

2501 86th St. E., Bloomington

CEDAR AVENUE BRIDGE AND TRAILHEAD

9898 Old Cedar Ave. S., Bloomington

ATTEND AN EVENT

Events and programs are happening weekly, so visit the refuge’s website at www.fws.gov/refuge/minnesota-valley/events or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MNValleyNWR to view and sign up for upcoming programs.

Events range from birdwatching walks, seasonal recreational activities like fishing, to yearly celebrations. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the refuge, meet with staff and volunteers, and to connect with community members.

Visitors fi sh at Bass Ponds in Bloomington.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THIA XIONG/USFWS

ADVENTURE THROUGH THE REFUGE

The Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge stretches over 14,000 acres along the Minnesota River, from Bloomington to Henderson.

Try one of these easy and nearby adventures: bird watching at the Old Cedar Ave and Bass Ponds trailheads on the Long Meadow Lake Unit in Bloomington; hike the winding River Bottoms Trail in the Bloomington Ferry Unit for great views of the Minnesota River; explore a paved trail via bike or stroller along the Minnesota River Greenway Trail in Burnsville; or visit a glacial erratic found at the Louisville Swap Unit near Shakopee.

View refuge trail maps for details at www.fws. gov/refuge/minnesota-valley/visit-us.

RECREATE

Visitors can enjoy more than 45 miles of trails on foot or by bicycle year round, find a multitude of birds and other wildlife to watch or photograph, shore fish for native Minnesota freshwater species, hunt in select areas of the refuge, or take part in free educational programs about nature.

Visit the refuge website to start planning an adventure: www.fws.gov/refuge/minnesota-valley/ visit-us/activities.

The sunset offers spectacular views to hikers at the Cedar Avenue Bridge. There are 45 miles of trails in the refuge.