75th Anniversary
On September 3rd, the Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge will be 75 years old. Please come and join us in the celebration. Click on the flyers to see our schedule of events. We look forward to seeing you here.
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75th Anniversary On September 3rd, the Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge will be 75 years old. Please come and join us in the celebration. Click on the flyers to see our schedule of events. We look forward to seeing you here. |
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2010 Family Fun Day held on the 4th of June at Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge was a success with many activities. There were two areas of fishing, nature hike, beginning photography class, birding 101 for youth, many crafts to learn and a delicious lunch was served at noon. In the afternoon the crowd was entertained and educated with Beth Gerard from Eco Education with live critters and learning about their habitat. Watch for next year's 5th Annual Family Fun Day. |
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In 2009, the observation platform at Rice Lake was improved. The handicap accessible platform was expanded and an additional spotting scope was added. |
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Improvement to the Mandy Lake site continues. The dock was was made handicap accessible in 2008. A new kiosk was built and new signs added to provide visitors with information on the refuge. New picnic tables and benches on the hiking/skiing trails are recent additions. |
Family Fun Day is an annual event held the first Friday in June. It is a fun filled day for the whole family with fishing, crafts, and nature education. A full picnic lunch is served with participation by local civic groups like the Flower Club of McGregor, McGregor Public Library, and Big Sandy Water Institute. |
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The Friends are active in promoting education on the refuge. Wildlife observation kits have been created through a partnership with Eagle Optics. Each kit contains a pair of binoculars and a field guide. These kits are available for loan to school groups and refuge visitors. |
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http://www.fws.gov/duckstamps/ The Friends promote the Federal Duck Stamp. With the sale of the stamp and the ideals of conserving lands for the future generations of this country, we firmly believe in promoting the protection of wildlife with the purchase of the Federal Duck Stamp. In 2008, we joined with Joe Hautman to support the sale of duck stamps at Minnesota’s first Federal Duck Stamp Event. |
http://www.fws.gov/juniorduck/ The Friends also promote the Junior Duck Stamp Contest. Students from accross the nation are invited to design a duck stamp to encourage youth to take an interest in the conservation of our natural resources. |
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Aitkin County Naturally is a field guide to discovering Aitkin County. The Friends of Rice Lake Refuge are the fiscal agent for this publication. The guide can be purchased at the refuge office. |
This annual event, held the first weekend of October, is widely supported by the Sportsmen’s Clubs of the area and other civic organizations. Again, the Friends of Rice Lake Refuge are the fiscal agent for this event. The objective of the event is to allow handicapped deer hunters the opportunity to enjoy the comradery of the deer hunt in a beautiful natural setting. The Friends have supported the refuge in writing grants, fundraising for supplies and equipment for the hunt, as well as labor in kind to make this hunt a success. |
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The McGregor Flower Club created this beautiful garden to celebrate the 100th birthday of the National Wildlife Refuge System. The Friends have installed an arbor with names of members that have donated memorials. The renewing spirit of the Centennialand Memorial Garden is a living memorial to the Friends of Rice Lake Refuge. |
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The Friends hosted the first-ever reunion for those who served in the Civilian Conservation Corps Company 2705, located on the Refuge from 1939 to 1942. Over 100 people, including former enrollees and their family members attended the event. |
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The Friends hosted a book signing by retired Minnesota Conservation Officer Tom Chapin. The signing featured the book, Poachers Caught; Adventures of a Northwoods Game Warden. |
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The Friends of Rice Lake Refuge have been active in many community events. The Friends annually participate in the McGregor Wild Rice Days, Rivers & Lakes Fair, and the Aitkin County Fair. |
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Other Friends of Rice Lake Accomplishments since 2003
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