Refuge News

By now all of you have heard about the thousands of federal employees whose employment has been terminated with the objective of reducing government spending. We are sad to report that the wave of terminations has hit Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, resulting in loss of staff and, likely, limiting events, activities, services, and even access to parts of the refuge. As supporters of the refuge, we are concerned that this might be only the beginning of the cuts to the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Please read on for more information and what you can do to help keep our refuge strong and protect the wildlife and the habitats where they live: Statement by the Friends concerning the recent staff reductions at the refuge.

 

March is here and with that, wildlife sanctuary at the refuge has begun. Here’s a reminder that, starting today, public use is allowed only on the designated hiking trails, the Wildlife Drive (at this time still only hiking and bicycling until it opens), fishing access points and the designated canoe route. Sanctuary is an annual time period that was established to allow wildlife to raise their young free from human disturbance and runs March 1 through August 31.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

 

The Eagle's Nest Nature Store opens March 6.  You can also  order merchandise online. When we reopen, we can use more volunteers to sell and stock merchandise as well as to answer visitor questions.   We always have a pair of volunteers during store hours so you'd never be all on your own.

 

See Upcoming Events for a schedule of on-site activities.

For event updates, please consult the following resources:

• Refuge website: fws.gov/refuge/Sherburne/

• This website on the Upcoming Events page

• Friends Facebook page: facebook.com/sherburnerefugefans

• Friends’ Prairie Insider E-News: To subscribe, enter email address as requested at bottom of this page

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