BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Minnesota River Valley - Audubon Chapter - ECPv6.18.2//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Minnesota River Valley - Audubon Chapter X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://mrvac.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Minnesota River Valley - Audubon Chapter REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Chicago BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20250309T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20251102T070000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20260308T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20261101T070000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20270314T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20271107T070000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261128T080000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261128T103000 DTSTAMP:20261014T191445Z CREATED:20261014T183243Z LAST-MODIFIED:20261014T191445Z UID:10000295-1795852800-1795861800@mrvac.org SUMMARY:Bird Watching Trek DESCRIPTION:Join refuge naturalist Craig Mandel for a bird walk and learn about the birds that can be observed on the refuge. Learn about the importance of different types of habitats at the refuge that support a wide variety of fall migrants. We’ll be watching for different species of Sparrows and with luck some large concentrations of Waterfowl. No bird watching experience is necessary for these programs. Extra binoculars will be available for those without their own pair. For those with more experience\, bring along your own optics\, field guides\, and dress for the weather. Registration is required for this event. \nQuestions? Contact MinnesotaValley@fws.gov or call (952) 854-5900. \nDate and Time: Saturday\, November 28\, 2026 from 8-10:30am \nLocation: Meet us at the kiosk at the Wilkie Unit Trailhead. \n7701 County Road 101 E\, Shakopee\, MN 55379 \nRegistration Information: Registration for this program is required and capped at 25 participants. To register for the program\, visit the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuges website. Then go to the events page and choose the walk you would like to register for. Click on that program and it will take you to the registration page for the program. \nPlease indicate in your registration if you would like to receive a birding summary and species list from the walk. \nActivity Level: This program is entirely outdoors. Distance covered is 1-2 miles total. The walk is easy active\, slow moving\, with plenty of stops along the way. \nWhat to Bring: Comfortable clothing is recommended\, including boots for wet/rainy conditions on muddy trails. If you have them\, bring along your own pair of binoculars and field guides. Volunteers have spotting scopes available for all to use as well. \nAccessibility: Accessibility at the Wilkie Unit Trailhead: \nThere are no restrooms or water located at this trailhead. The Minnesota Valley State Trail is a paved flat route\, and the Blue Lake Trail is natural surface and mostly flat. Depending on seasonal trail conditions\, natural surface paths may be muddy (summer) or snowy (winter). Paths may not always be suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. There are no benches or rest areas along the route. The trailhead is URL:https://mrvac.org/event/bird-watching-trek-27/ LOCATION:Wilkie Unit Trailhead\, 7701 County Road 101 E.\, Shakopee\, MN\, United States ORGANIZER;CN="Craig Mandel":MAILTO:EgretCMan@msn.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261129T080000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261129T103000 DTSTAMP:20261014T191358Z CREATED:20261014T185242Z LAST-MODIFIED:20261014T191358Z UID:10000296-1795939200-1795948200@mrvac.org SUMMARY:Bird Watching Trek DESCRIPTION:Birdwatching Trek: Old Cedar Avenue \nJoin refuge naturalist Craig Mandel for a bird walk and learn about the birds that can be observed on the refuge. Learn about the importance of different types of habitats at the refuge that support a wide variety of fall migrants. We’ll be watching for different species of Sparrows and with luck some large concentrations of Waterfowl. No bird watching experience is necessary for these programs. Extra binoculars will be available for those without their own pair. For those with more experience\, bring along your own optics\, field guides\, and dress for the weather. Registration is required for this event. \nQuestions? Contact MinnesotaValley@fws.gov or call (952) 854-5900. \nDate and Time: Sunday\, November 29\, 2026\, from 8-10:30am \nLocation: Meet us at the OCA parking lot at Old Cedar Avenue. \n9551 Old Cedar Ave S\, Bloomington\, MN 55425 \nRegistration Information: Registration for this program is required and capped at 25 participants. To register for the program\, visit the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuges website. Then go to the events page and choose the walk you would like to register for. Click on that program and it will take you to the registration page for the program.\nPlease indicate in your registration if you would like to receive a birding summary and species list from the walk. \nActivity Level: This program is entirely outdoors. Distance covered is 1-2 miles total. The walk is easy active\, slow moving\, with plenty of stops along the way. \nWhat to Bring: Comfortable clothing is recommended\, including boots for wet/rainy conditions on muddy trails. If you have them\, bring along your own pair of binoculars and field guides. Volunteers have spotting scopes available for all to use as well. \nAccessibility: Accessibility at Old Cedar Avenue: \nRestrooms and water fountains are available seasonally\, from last frost to first frost typically. The restrooms are managed by the City of Bloomington. There is dedicated handicap parking. A portable restroom is available on site. Bluff and Hogback Ridge trails are nature surface. Bluff trail features a wooden boardwalk and has many steep inclines and declines approximately 0.25 miles in\, but connects to the Minnesota Valley State trail 3.4 miles in\, which is a flat and paved path. The pedestrian bridge is a flat concrete path. Depending on seasonal trail conditions\, natural surface paths may be muddy (summer) or snowy (winter). Paths may not always be suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. There are no benches on the trails\, but rest areas are located at the pavilion\, Nature Play Area\, and fishing pier. Trailhead is a URL:https://mrvac.org/event/bird-watching-trek-18/ LOCATION:Old Cedar Ave Brdge\, 9551 Old Cedar Ave S\, Bloomington\, MN\, 55425\, United States ORGANIZER;CN="Craig Mandel":MAILTO:EgretCMan@msn.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261205T080000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261205T103000 DTSTAMP:20261014T193055Z CREATED:20261014T193055Z LAST-MODIFIED:20261014T193055Z UID:10000297-1796457600-1796466600@mrvac.org SUMMARY:Bird Watching Trek DESCRIPTION: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. No experience needed\, this program is intended for those interested in birding regardless of experience level. Registration required. \nQuestions? Contact MinnesotaValley@fws.gov or call (952) 854-5900. \nDate and Time: Saturday\, December 5\, 2026 from 8-10:30am \nLocation: Meet us at the kiosk at the Wilkie Unit Trailhead. \n7701 County Road 101 E\, Shakopee\, MN 55379 \nRegistration Information: Registration for this program is required and capped at 25 participants. To register for the program\, visit the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuges website. Then go to the events page and choose the walk you would like to register for. Click on that program and it will take you to the registration page for the program. \nPlease indicate in your registration if you would like to receive a birding summary and species list from the walk. \nActivity Level: This program is entirely outdoors. Distance covered is 1-2 miles total. The walk is easy active\, slow moving\, with plenty of stops along the way. \nWhat to Bring: Comfortable clothing is recommended\, including boots for wet/rainy conditions on muddy trails. If you have them\, bring along your own pair of binoculars and field guides. Volunteers have spotting scopes available for all to use as well. \nAccessibility: Accessibility at the Wilkie Unit Trailhead: \nThere are no restrooms or water located at this trailhead. The Minnesota Valley State Trail is a paved flat route\, and the Blue Lake Trail is natural surface and mostly flat. Depending on seasonal trail conditions\, natural surface paths may be muddy (summer) or snowy (winter). Paths may not always be suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. There are no benches or rest areas along the route. The trailhead is URL:https://mrvac.org/event/bird-watching-trek-28/ LOCATION:Wilkie Unit Trailhead\, 7701 County Road 101 E.\, Shakopee\, MN\, United States ORGANIZER;CN="Craig Mandel":MAILTO:EgretCMan@msn.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261212T080000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261212T103000 DTSTAMP:20261014T193606Z CREATED:20261014T193606Z LAST-MODIFIED:20261014T193606Z UID:10000298-1797062400-1797071400@mrvac.org SUMMARY:Bird Watching Trek DESCRIPTION:Birdwatching Trek: Old Cedar Avenue \nJoin 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. No experience needed\, this program is intended for those interested in birding regardless of experience level. Registration required. \nQuestions? Contact MinnesotaValley@fws.gov or call (952) 854-5900. \nDate and Time: Saturday\, December 12\, 2026\, from 8-10:30am \nLocation: Meet us at the OCA parking lot at Old Cedar Avenue. \n9551 Old Cedar Ave S\, Bloomington\, MN 55425 \nRegistration Information: Registration for this program is required and capped at 25 participants. To register for the program\, visit the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuges website. Then go to the events page and choose the walk you would like to register for. Click on that program and it will take you to the registration page for the program.\nPlease indicate in your registration if you would like to receive a birding summary and species list from the walk. \nActivity Level: This program is entirely outdoors. Distance covered is 1-2 miles total. The walk is easy active\, slow moving\, with plenty of stops along the way. \nWhat to Bring: Comfortable clothing is recommended\, including boots for wet/rainy conditions on muddy trails. If you have them\, bring along your own pair of binoculars and field guides. Volunteers have spotting scopes available for all to use as well. \nAccessibility: Accessibility at Old Cedar Avenue: \nRestrooms and water fountains are available seasonally\, from last frost to first frost typically. The restrooms are managed by the City of Bloomington. There is dedicated handicap parking. A portable restroom is available on site. Bluff and Hogback Ridge trails are nature surface. Bluff trail features a wooden boardwalk and has many steep inclines and declines approximately 0.25 miles in\, but connects to the Minnesota Valley State trail 3.4 miles in\, which is a flat and paved path. The pedestrian bridge is a flat concrete path. Depending on seasonal trail conditions\, natural surface paths may be muddy (summer) or snowy (winter). Paths may not always be suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. There are no benches on the trails\, but rest areas are located at the pavilion\, Nature Play Area\, and fishing pier. Trailhead is a URL:https://mrvac.org/event/bird-watching-trek-29/ LOCATION:Old Cedar Ave Brdge\, 9551 Old Cedar Ave S\, Bloomington\, MN\, 55425\, United States ORGANIZER;CN="Craig Mandel":MAILTO:EgretCMan@msn.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261219 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261220 DTSTAMP:20261014T202003Z CREATED:20261014T201116Z LAST-MODIFIED:20261014T202003Z UID:10000299-1797638400-1797724799@mrvac.org SUMMARY:Christmas Bird Count - Excelsior DESCRIPTION:Excelsior Christmas Bird Count \nDecember 19\, 2026 \nCompiler – Joseph Lindell \nRegistration – Laura Hanson – lhanson@isd108.org \nA full description with a map of the count circle is available on the Minnesota Ornithologist Union’s website at: https://moumn.org/ \nThey also have a list of past species counts from previous years\, dating back to 1951. There is also information on the weather on past counts and a large amount of historical data on the Excelsior Christmas Bird Count. \nPlease consider joining this and another Christmas Bird Count in the 2026/27 season. URL:https://mrvac.org/event/christmas-bird-count-excelsior/ ORGANIZER;CN="Laura":MAILTO:lhanson@isd108.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261219 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261220 DTSTAMP:20261014T202735Z CREATED:20261014T202610Z LAST-MODIFIED:20261014T202735Z UID:10000300-1797638400-1797724799@mrvac.org SUMMARY:Christmas Bird Count - Bloomington DESCRIPTION:Bloomington Christmas Bird Count \nDecember 19\, 2026 \nCompiler – Liz Stanley \nRegistration – Liz Stanley – 952-884-1866 \nA full description with a map of the count circle is available on the Minnesota Ornithologist Union’s website at: https://moumn.org/ \nThey also have a list of past species counts from previous years\, dating back to 1966. There is also information on the weather on past counts and a large amount of historical data on the Bloomington Christmas Bird Count. \nPlease consider joining this and another Christmas Bird Count in the 2026/27 season. URL:https://mrvac.org/event/christmas-bird-count-bloomington/ ORGANIZER;CN="Liz Stanley":MAILTO:lhanson@isd108.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261219 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261220 DTSTAMP:20261014T203445Z CREATED:20261014T203318Z LAST-MODIFIED:20261014T203445Z UID:10000301-1797638400-1797724799@mrvac.org SUMMARY:Lakeville/Farmington Christmas Bird Count DESCRIPTION:Lakeville/Farmington Christmas Bird Count \nDecember 19\, 2026 \nCompiler – Tate Putman \nRegistration – Tate Putman – tateputman@gmail.com \nA full description with a map of the count circle is available on the Minnesota Ornithologist Union’s website at: https://moumn.org/ \nThey also have a list of past species counts from previous years\, dating back to 2022. There is also information on the weather on past counts and a large amount of historical data on the Lakeville/Farmington Christmas Bird Count. \nPlease consider joining this and another Christmas Bird Count in the 2026/27 season. URL:https://mrvac.org/event/lakeville-farmington-christmas-bird-count/ ORGANIZER;CN="Tate Putman":MAILTO:tateputman@gmail.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261220 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261221 DTSTAMP:20261014T204008Z CREATED:20261014T204008Z LAST-MODIFIED:20261014T204008Z UID:10000302-1797724800-1797811199@mrvac.org SUMMARY:Cedar Creek Bog Christmas Bird Count DESCRIPTION:Cedar Creek Bog Christmas Bird Count \nDecember 20\, 2026 \nCompiler – Steve Weston \nRegistration – Steve Weston – 612-978-5993 \nA full description with a map of the count circle is available on the Minnesota Ornithologist Union’s website at: https://moumn.org/ \nThey also have a list of past species counts from previous years\, dating back to 1945. There is also information on the weather on past counts and a large amount of historical data on the Cedar Creek Bog Christmas Bird Count. \nPlease consider joining this and another Christmas Bird Count in the 2026/27 season. URL:https://mrvac.org/event/cedar-creek-bog-christmas-bird-count/ ORGANIZER;CN="Steve Weston":MAILTO:sweston2g@gmail.com END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR