Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust

In keeping with its strategic framework 2019 2024, the Minnesota Valley Trust (mvt) had the following program accomplishments in 2023:1. Mvt invested in strategic land acquisition for the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge complex. Mvt continued working with landowners on acquisition of parcels to expand and complete units for the Refuge complex. In 2023, mvt acquired 156 acres to expand the pauley waterfowl production area in blue earth county. The parcel subsequently was conveyed to the usfws. 2. Mvt invested in strategic habitat restoration and enhancement on the Refuge complex. Employed a full-time habitat biologist to design, plan and manage habitat restoration and enhancement on mvt lands, coordinate the conservation corps mn-ia (ccmi) crew, and assist with Refuge projects. Contracted for and coordinated a ccmi crew that conducted habitat enhancement activities over 593 acres at 15 project sites on the Refuge complex. The crew also participated in usfws prescribed burns over 427 acres at 2 sites. Contracted for habitat restoration and enhancement work over another 846 acres at 13 sites throughout the Refuge complex, including 5 parcels recently acquired by mvt.3. Mvt supported special projects and investments to provide a positive, inspiring experience on the Refuge for a diversity of visitors. Funded the operations of the rapids lake education and visitor center (evc) and intern bunkhouse. Provided public wi-fi at the bloomington evc. Funded one Refuge maintenance position. Employed a gis specialist & project manager to develop and maintain a geodatabase and trail maintenance dashboard for the Refuge, produce high-quality Refuge maps for visitor and staff use, coordinate all work related to conveying lands to the usfws and manage it for the Refuge. 4. Mvt invested in connecting more people and a diversity of people with the Refuge. Provided financial and other support to the Minnesota Valley Refuge friends. Funded three park ranger positions in visitor services on the Refuge. Employed four environmental education teaching interns in full-time one-year positions to develop and deliver content to students, families and visitors on the Refuge, at partner schools and in the community. Employed three apprentices in full-time two-year positions to serve on the Refuge teams in conservation biology, community outreach and visitor services. Employed a full-time internship coordinator to assist with recruitment and support of the mvt full-time interns and apprentices on the Refuge, as well as to lead the Refuge's high school internship program. Employed a full-time community engagement manager to strengthen Refuge partnerships, foster new community connections that build the Refuge as a community asset, and build the cultural competency of Refuge staff to provide culturally-inclusive, meaningful and relevant experiences to audiences typically under-represented in the outdoors and at Refuge activities and events.5. Mvt leveraged its assets. Received $842,806 in grant payments on a reimbursement basis from the state of Minnesota and us department of interior for program activities completed as per grant agreements. Was awarded a grant by the 2023 Minnesota legislature in the amount of $700,000, as recommended by the lessard-sams outdoor heritage council for metro big rivers phase 13. The grant will be paid on a reimbursement basis for strategic land acquisition for the Refuge complex.