BLOOMIINGTON, Minn. -- We have a national jewel in the heart of the metropolitan area.

"Minnesota Valley Wildlife Refuge is one of 500 refuges throughout the country."

"It's a refuge that was established by local citizens within a urban environment and It provides and preserves many of the important habitats within the urban area." explains Charlie Blair, refuge manager of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge.

And wildlife is present year-round.

 

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Including plenty of birds to watch right from the wide windows of the warm visitor center. That is, until a hawk comes by.

This sharp shinned hawk stirs up the birds to try to capture one in flight for a meal. But this downy woodpecker knows his tricks and remains perfectly still until he can escape to a tree. It's all right outside the visitor center which is hosting a celebration this weekend.

"This weekend we have an event that will run from 11am-4pm on Sunday and it's called Arctic Blast. It's really a celebration of the Arctic National Refuge which is 50 years old."

You can help preserve and purchase more habitat for national refuges too.

"There's a thing called the duck stamp in 1934." Ron Windingstad of Audubon Minnesota tells us.

Ninety eight cents of every dollar goes directly to purchasing land and wetlands and has raised millions.

"If they come to the refuge they can become aware of the birds and wildlife they may not otherwise see and learn about the habitat and what it takes to provide habitat for birds."

 

 

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