Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge encompasses over 6200 acres of prairies and wetlands. The Refuge is home to a diversity of plants and animals, including rare species and habitats such as wetlands, prairies and savannahs. The Refuge is an important resting and feeding site on the Mississippi Flyway, a major international bird migration corridor. Continuing development along the Mississippi Flyway has reduced the suitable area available to migrating birds for critical rest stops, making the Refuge increasingly important.
On the Refuge...
Welcome to Our 2012 Bird Festival
Every year the National Wildlife Refuge System celebrates International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) to encourage support for migratory bird conservation. This day focuses attention on the nearly 350 species of migratory birds that travel long distances between breeding and non-breeding sites throughout the Western Hemisphere.
This year we celebrate…
20 years of
Bird Conservation!
International Migratory Bird Day will celebrate its 20th anniversary. Created in 1993, the event is now hosted at over 500 sites throughout the Western Hemisphere, reaching hundreds of thousands of youth and adults. As part of the 20th anniversary celebrations, the annual bird conservation theme will focus on 20 ways people may help preserve birds every day. The theme is highlighted in the 2012 art created by Rafael Lopez. The lively piece reflects the joy, curiosity, and beauty of birds, while sharing the importance of community in bird conservation. Our festival will feature a variety of activities that will give you the birding itch! One way to help bird conservation is to JOIN US to celebrate!
Saturday
May 12, 2012
9 AM to 4 PM
Special Talks
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Calling all Junior Birders!
All young birders between the ages of
4-12, join us for this program and earn a Junior Birders Patch! Ranger led activities will include; how to spot a bird and identify it, how to keep a journal, and what simple conservation efforts young birders can do to help birds not only today but in the future!
1:00 PM
National Eagle Center - Meet an Eagle!
Have you ever wondered “How much does an eagle weigh?” How big is their wingspan?” The answers await you in an engaging and entertaining live eagle program held Saturday May 12th during our Annual Bird Fest! Come learn all about eagle biology, ecology and natural history from one of the National Eagle Center’s resident eagle ambassadors. This event is great for all ages.
9 AM to 2 PM
Bird Banding Demonstrations
Watch how wild birds are banded and recorded for research purposes. Participants will get a band for joining in! Meet next to the big tent across from the Refuge Office.
*Programs are subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control.
11 AM
Bats Eat Bugs! They don’t eat people!
Join refuge park rangers to learn about bats and their importance! We will dispel the myths about bats and find out what role they play in the balance of nature. Take a short hike to visit the new bat house on the refuge and find out how you can play a part in conserving habitat for bats in the future! Bat house plans will be provided to all participants that would like to build a bat house of their own!
Special Hikes
8:00 AM
Canoeing for Wildlife!
Duration: 1.5 hours. Take an early canoe tour in search of birds on refuge pools – canoes and lifejackets will be provided or participants may also bring their own. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Meet at the refuge boat ramp.
Pre-registration required – call 608/539-2311 ext. 6.
2:30 PM
Prairie Wildflower Walk Duration: 1 hour Take a walk in the prairie with Refuge volunteers to see what is blooming! Meet at the big tent across from the Refuge Office.
Friends of Trempealeau Refuge Invites You to…
ElMaro Vineyards for
Wings, Wine and Warblers
Friday Night Only…May 11
5:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Join the Friends of Trempealeau Refuge for a special wine tasting event while listening to a special presentation by DNR Biologist, Craig Thompson. Craig is an expert in the field of birding and was a featured in “Our Wisconsin Birds” on Wisconsin Public Television. His passion, experience and knowledge will captivate you and leave you with urge to get outdoors and go birding! Plan now to join the Friends for this special evening!
ElMaro Vineyard is located less than 1 mile from the refuge at
N14756 Delaney Rd.
20 WAYS YOU CAN HELP
BIRD CONSERVATION!
It's easy to get involved in bird conservation, and like anything, some of your most helpful actions begin at home. In celebration of International Migratory Bird Day's 20th Anniversary, here are 20 issues and simple solutions. Imagine how many birds you can help finish their migratory journey, have a successful nesting season, raise young, survive the winter, if you just…
1. Prevent Bird Collisions with Your Windows 2. Protect Birds From Pets
3. Clean Your Bird Feeders
4. Don’t Buy Illegally-Caged Birds 5. Use Cloth Grocery Bags and Reusable Bottles
6. Recycle
7. Restore Natural Habitat in Your Community
8. Keep Your Distance
9. Leave Fledglings Where You Find Them
10. Slow Down When Driving
11. Buy Bird Friendly Products
12. Plant Native
13. Teach Others About Birds
14. Get Outdoors and Enjoy Nature
15. Take a Friend Bird Watching
16. Support Conservation
17. Be a Citizen Scientist
18. Reduce Energy Use
19. Avoid Chemicals
20. Learn the Hunting Laws
To find more information about the 20 Years of Bird Conservation, please visit
http://birdday.org/birdday/themes/2012-twenty-years-imbd
Friends of Trempealeau Refuge
exist for the purpose of supporting
Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge
This page was last updated: April 23, 2012
Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge encompasses over 6226 acres of prairies and wetlands. The Refuge is home to a diversity of plants and animals, including rare species and habitats such as wetlands, prairies and savannahs. The Refuge is an important resting and feeding site on the Mississippi Flyway, a major international bird migration corridor. Continuing development along the Mississippi Flyway has reduced the suitable area available to migrating birds for critical rest stops, making the Refuge increasingly important.
