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X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://mrvac.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Minnesota River Valley - Audubon Chapter
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260307T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260307T103000
DTSTAMP:20260413T064221
CREATED:20260114T043543Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260114T043543Z
UID:10000230-1772870400-1772879400@mrvac.org
SUMMARY:Bird Watching Trek
DESCRIPTION:Birdwatching Trek: Old Cedar Avenue \nJoin refuge naturalist Craig Mandel for a spring bird walk.  For these spring walks\, the birds observed will change as the season unfolds. Expect waterfowl on the March and April walks\, followed by sparrows and warblers on the walks in May. We will get to know the birds that migrate through the refuge each spring and those that stay to nest on the refuge. Bring along your binoculars\, favorite field guide and dress appropriately for the weather\n.\nQuestions? Contact MinnesotaValley@fws.gov or call (952) 854-5900. \nDate and Time: Saturday\, March 7\, 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 required through Signup.com\, which is available on the Minnesota Valley NWR’s website. Capped at 25 participants. \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-2/
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:20260308T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260308T103000
DTSTAMP:20260413T064221
CREATED:20260114T050100Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260114T050100Z
UID:10000232-1772956800-1772965800@mrvac.org
SUMMARY:Bird Watching Trek
DESCRIPTION:Join refuge naturalist Craig Mandel for a spring bird walk.  For these spring walks\, the birds observed will change as the season unfolds. Expect waterfowl on the March and April walks\, followed by sparrows and warblers on the walks in May. We will get to know the birds that migrate through the refuge each spring and those that stay to nest on the refuge. Bring along your binoculars\, favorite field guide and dress appropriately for the weather. \nDate & Time: Sunday\, March 8th from 8:00-10:30 a.m. \nLocation: Bass Ponds – 2501 86th St. E\, Bloomington\, 55425 MN \nRegistration Information: Registration required on SignUp.com. Which is available on the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuges Website.  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. \nActivity Level: Easy-active\, but with a short but steep downhill walk from the parking lot. We will walk slowly and make frequent stops. \nMeet Us: Meet at the upper Bass Ponds trailhead near the parking lot. Please consider carpooling with others in your party due to limited parking. \nWhat to Bring: If you have them\, bring along binoculars and a favorite field guide. This program is held entirely outdoors\, please dress appropriately for the weather. A cancellation notice will be sent via email to registered participants in the event of severe weather. \nAccessibility: Restrooms are located at the lower trailhead\, a short but steep downhill walk from the parking lot. This walk takes place on mostly flat ground on a paved service road\, wooden boardwalks\, and natural surface paths. Depending on seasonal trail conditions\, natural surface paths may not be suitable for strollers or wheelchairs. There are no benches or rest areas along the route. Persons who cannot travel the steep hill from the upper to the lower trailhead on foot may receive a gate code to drive down to the lower lot. Please call or email the refuge for accommodations: 952-854-5900 or minnesotavalley@fws.gov. \nProgram 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. \nThe U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is committed to providing access to this event for all participants. Please direct all requests for sign language interpreting services\, closed captioning or other accommodation needs to MinnesotaValley@fws.gov by close of business two weeks before the date you wish to attend.
URL:https://mrvac.org/event/bird-watching-trek-3/
LOCATION:Bass Ponds\, 2501 86th St. E.\, Bloomington\, MN\, 55425\, United States
ORGANIZER;CN="Craig Mandel":MAILTO:EgretCMan@msn.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260309T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260309T193000
DTSTAMP:20260413T064221
CREATED:20260210T165231Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260210T165231Z
UID:10000251-1773079200-1773084600@mrvac.org
SUMMARY:MRVAC Photography Special Interest Group (SIG) - March 9\, 2026
DESCRIPTION:Please join us for MRVAC Photography Special Interest Group meeting on March 9\, 2026 at 6pm at Penn Lake Public Library in Bloomington.  Meet fellow photographers and get ready for 2026 Spring migration.  Bring your laptops and photos (edited and raw) for a discussion about how you caught your best shots and how you edit for best results.  We’ll also discuss outdoor venues for our Photography SIG starting in April.
URL:https://mrvac.org/event/mrvac-photography-special-interest-group-sig-march-9-2026/
LOCATION:Penn Lake Library\, 8800 Penn Ave. S\, Bloomington\, MN\, 55431\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260321T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260321T103000
DTSTAMP:20260413T064221
CREATED:20260114T052056Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260114T052132Z
UID:10000233-1774080000-1774089000@mrvac.org
SUMMARY:Bird Watching Trek
DESCRIPTION:Join refuge naturalist Craig Mandel for a spring bird walk.  For these spring walks\, the birds observed will change as the season unfolds. Expect waterfowl on the March and April walks\, followed by sparrows and warblers on the walks in May. We will get to know the birds that migrate through the refuge each spring and those that stay to nest on the refuge. Bring along your binoculars\, favorite field guide and dress appropriately for the weather. \nDate & Time: Saturday\, March 21 St from 8:00-10:30 a.m. \nLocation: Bass Ponds – 2501 86th St. E\, Bloomington\, 55425 MN \nRegistration Information: Registration required on SignUp.com. Which is available on the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuges Website.  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. \nActivity Level: Easy-active\, but with a short but steep downhill walk from the parking lot. We will walk slowly and make frequent stops. \nMeet Us: Meet at the upper Bass Ponds trailhead near the parking lot. Please consider carpooling with others in your party due to limited parking. \nWhat to Bring: If you have them\, bring along binoculars and a favorite field guide. This program is held entirely outdoors\, please dress appropriately for the weather. A cancellation notice will be sent via email to registered participants in the event of severe weather. \nAccessibility: Restrooms are located at the lower trailhead\, a short but steep downhill walk from the parking lot. This walk takes place on mostly flat ground on a paved service road\, wooden boardwalks\, and natural surface paths. Depending on seasonal trail conditions\, natural surface paths may not be suitable for strollers or wheelchairs. There are no benches or rest areas along the route. Persons who cannot travel the steep hill from the upper to the lower trailhead on foot may receive a gate code to drive down to the lower lot. Please call or email the refuge for accommodations: 952-854-5900 or minnesotavalley@fws.gov. \nProgram 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. \nThe U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is committed to providing access to this event for all participants. Please direct all requests for sign language interpreting services\, closed captioning or other accommodation needs to MinnesotaValley@fws.gov by close of business two weeks before the date you wish to attend.
URL:https://mrvac.org/event/bird-watching-trek-18/
LOCATION:Bass Ponds\, 2501 86th St. E.\, Bloomington\, MN\, 55425\, United States
ORGANIZER;CN="Craig Mandel":MAILTO:EgretCMan@msn.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260322T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260322T103000
DTSTAMP:20260413T064221
CREATED:20260114T044819Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260114T050447Z
UID:10000231-1774166400-1774175400@mrvac.org
SUMMARY:Bird Watching Trek
DESCRIPTION:Birdwatching Trek: Old Cedar Avenue \nJoin refuge naturalist Craig Mandel for a spring bird walk.  For these spring walks\, the birds observed will change as the season unfolds. Expect waterfowl on the March and April walks\, followed by sparrows and warblers on the walks in May. We will get to know the birds that migrate through the refuge each spring and those that stay to nest on the refuge. Bring along your binoculars\, favorite field guide and dress appropriately for the weather\n.\nQuestions? Contact MinnesotaValley@fws.gov or call (952) 854-5900. \nDate and Time: Sunday\, March 22\, 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 required through Signup.com\, which is available on the Minnesota Valley NWR’s website. Capped at 25 participants. \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/7194/
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:20260326T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260326T210000
DTSTAMP:20260413T064221
CREATED:20260226T170325Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260227T171209Z
UID:10000254-1774553400-1774558800@mrvac.org
SUMMARY:MRVAC Chapter Meeting\, March 26\, 2026 (Zoom Only)
DESCRIPTION:John Mittermeier of American Bird Conservancy\, “Search for Lost Birds”
URL:https://mrvac.org/event/mrvac-chapter-meeting-march-26-2026-zoom-only/
LOCATION:MN
END:VEVENT
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