June 10, 2010: Long Meadow Lake MRVNWR Hike (Bloomington)

Join Larry Martin for a hike along a portion of the 2400 acres of floodplain forest, ponds, marshes, bluffs, spring fed streams, historic sites, and the lake in the Long Meadow Lake Unit of the Minnesota River Valley National Wildlife Refuge. The Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1976 to provide habitat for a large number of migratory waterfowl, fish, and other wildlife species threatened by commercial and industrial development. The Refuge contains 14,000 acres in total. Many species of waterfowl, songbirds, and raptors use the Refuge as a stop-over on their migrations to and from breeding grounds. Over 200 species of birds have been seen on the Refuge. Bald eagles also nest on the Refuge. The Refuge is home to about 50 mammals, including red squirrel, white-tailed deer, red fox, muskrat, beaver, wood chuck and raccoon, and 30 species of reptiles and amphibians, including the leopard frog, green frog, painted and snapping turtles, and the bull snake. Natural levees formed by the Minnesota River trap spring and stream flows to create marsh areas, but there were no controlled outlets to the river. The trail will cross a recently constructed $300,000 stoplog water control structure that is a controlled outlet from Long Meadow Lake and prevents the Minnesota River from backing up into the lake.

If coming by car: The Minnesota River Valley National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center is located at 3815 American Blvd. East in Bloomington, across from the Airport Hilton Hotel. From I-494, exit on 34th Ave. and drive south. Turn left on American Blvd. East and drive 1/4 mile to the entrance. We will meet at the parking lot of the MRVNWR Visitor Center.

If coming by public transit: Take Metro Transit route(s): Applicable Metro Transit Map / Bus Schedule information

Interested hikers are invited to gather with Larry and Laurie (7532 Oakland Avenue South, Richfield) after the hike for pot luck snacks and refreshments. Bring something to share.

Map to the hike starting point: 3815 American Blvd E
Bloomington, MN 55425-1659

Map to 7532 Oakland Avenue South, Richfield

Long Meadow Lake Trail

Back to the Thursday Night Hikes homepage

This webpage was last updated on June 9, 2010.