You can call the refuge at 763-389-3323 for further information. Here are directions to get to Blue Hill Trail. Hope to see you there!

http://www.fws.gov/midwest/sherburne/GetTo.htm

Here is an excerpt of an article from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website:

Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge is losing a vital part of its visitor services program, as the Old School House has been closed. A health and safety audit was conducted on Nov. 3, 2010 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Found during the audit were a sagging roof, mold, the potential for histoplasmosis and other health-related deficiencies.

Anyone who has visited the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge for wildlife watching, environmental education, or to take part in a special event, knows about the Old School House. For more than 30 years the Refuge, with support from the Friends of Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, has hosted year-round public events and gatherings at this facility. The Wildlife Festival, as well as Winterfest – are both free, one-day family events that have attracted up 1,800 visitors.

The facility housed educational exhibits about Sherburne Refuge and was home to the Friends of Sherburne, housing administrative support offices and elements of the Friends sales outlet. The Old School House also provided space for biological research, meetings for community organizations and partner agencies.

Over time, the building developed significant health and safety issues. Refuge staff tried to maintain the facility, but a major restoration project would be needed to address health and safety concerns. Such a project would have altered the building beyond a recognizable state, and would not have been fiscally responsible.

Click here to read the entire article.

I found a wonderful PDF that highlights the Old School House history and activities. If you have a Docstoc account, you can download this document here.

On Saturday, the Refuge sponsored their Fall Festival, in conjunction with National Wildlife Refuge Week and the refuge’s 45th anniversary. The day was filled with exhibits and all types of free activities for families.

The sunrise crane watch began bright and early. Live animal exhibits included raptors from the Minnesota Raptor Center and some snakes and turtles.

“Doc Wild” came to visit and talk about his woodland experiences with wolves, coyotes, and other wildlife. Other activities included a scavenger hunt, a bus tour, archery, air rifle shooting, a bonfire, and face painting.

My favorite part of the Fall Festival is to drive on the many refuge service roads that are open to the public only once a year.

On Sunday, Refuge Visitor Service Manager Betsy Beneke, spent the day on the Wildlife Drive for the first and possibly annual “Big Sit.” Seventeen people were in attendance throughout the twelve-hour time period to watch and count the birds in the vicinity.

A total of forty-three species of birds were observed, including:

Canada Goose
Trumpeter Swan
Eastern Meadowlark
Red-winged Blackbird
American Goldfinch
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Golden Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
Hermit Thrush
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler
Palm Warbler
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
Swamp Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Wood Duck
Mallard
Blue-Winged Teal
Ring-Necked Duck
American Widgeon
Wild Turkey
Ring-Neck Pheasant
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Red-tailed Hawk
Sandhill Crane
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker

I’m happy to report that I would be able to recognize 28 of these species without checking in a bird book – that’s a big improvement from when I first became Roving Wildlife Interpreter two years ago!

Very Cool!

Our local Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge is looking for volunteers to help remove European Buckthorne from the refuge. Contact Nancy Haugen at the refuge for more information.

The Podtburg family members met with Nancy Haugen, the refuge’s Visitor Services Manager, and Lee Johnson, President of the Friends of Sherburne NWR group. We enjoyed the opportunity to get to know this wonderful family. Olga was there, along with three of her four children, and three grandchildren. One family was here all the way from Boston, Massachusetts.

Here are some photos–click on the picture to see a larger version.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLVR4ZNCCjk[/youtube]

Here are some pictures:

(Click on each picture for a larger view)

(Click on each picture for a larger view)

For more information, see the contest website at:

http://www.refugenet.org/contest/2009ContestHome.html