Hours are 9-3 Tuesday to Saturday April to October,
not open Saturdays Nov to March
The Swans are Back!! Learn the Back Story
In the 1980s many were noticing that Pool 8 had many problems. The migrating birds were getting less and less. Islands were disappearing rapidly. Our Fish & Wildlife Service, USGS Midwest Environmental Science Center, Corps of E, state, and local experts started working on solutions.
Only with years of planning and researching could the solution be found. Lost islands were restored. Lost food sources were restored. Water levels were raised in the spring like spring floods, Water levels were lowered in the fall, …….Now every November thousands and thousands of Tundra swans come to Pool 8. Good science…. Good partnerships…. made this happen.
Get Involved With Your National Wildlife and Fish Refuge!
We are the Friends group for the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge - La Crosse District. The La Crosse District is one of four districts in the 261 mile long Refuge and encompasses Refuge properties between lock and dam # 6 in Trempealeau and lock and dam # 8 in Genoa. The waters between these dams are Pool 7 and Pool 8.
Our mission is to serve as a bridge between the Refuge and the surrounding communities. We are dedicated to building awareness, enjoyment and support of the Refuge through; engagement, environmental experiences, education, and habitat enhancement.
We invite you to learn about us and consider joining us in our mission.
Sustain Our River was a highly successful event with 10-20 media services writing about our concerns to maintain the federal agencies for the Refuge. We need to work together to keep our REFUGE STRONG!
“Conservation is the promise that the children of tomorrow will witness the beauty of today.”
"In the end, our society will be defined not only by what we create but by what we refuse to destroy."
- John Sawhill