Join refuge naturalist Craig Mandel for a bird walk to learn about the birds that we find on the refuge. Learn about the different types of habitats at the refuge that support over 100 species of birds, many of which migrate through and nest on the refuge during certain times of the year.

Date and Time: Monday, September 23rd, 2024 from 8:00AM- 10:30AM

Location: Rapids Lake Visitor Center – 15865 Rapids Lake Rd, Carver, MN 55315

Registration Information: Registration required for this program and is available on the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuges website. Please go the events page and click on the program date and then go to the SignUp registration link page. Please indicate in your registration if you would like to receive a birding summary and species list from the walk. This program is capped at 25 participants.

Activity Level: Easy-active, we will walk slowly and make frequent stops.

Meet Us: Meet at the Rapids Lake Visitor Center. Meet outside the main entrance.

What to Bring: Meet outside the Rapids Lake visitor center near the parking lot. Please consider carpooling with others in your party due to limited parking.

Accessibility: Outdoor restrooms are located at the visitor center, no water is available at this site. This walk takes place on mostly flat ground on a paved trail and natural surface paths. Depending on seasonal trail conditions, natural surface paths may not be suitable for strollers or wheelchairs. Participants will navigate a short, paved decline from the parking lot to the river valley. There are no benches or rest areas along the route.

Program Leader: This program is led by Volunteer Naturalist Craig Mandel. Craig has been leading bird walks on the refuge for more than two decades. For questions about these walks, please contact Craig at 952-240-7647.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is committed to providing access to these events for all participants. Please direct all requests for sign language interpreting services, close captioning, or other accommodation needs at least ten business days before the event to Oscar Hernandez at oscar_hernandez@fws.gov.