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rin -Summer 1 5 TALK Page 19 i i i i Friends of the The parcel has been the home of the Middelsted Family for generations. The original 50 acre farmstead has been in the family since the 1860's. The family acknowledged that the sale is "an opportunity of a lifetime." They appreciate that the farm site will be preserved for generations to come. M~ ~~ The Friends of the Minnesota Valley is responsible for the establishment and creation of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Recreation Area and State Trail. While work to complete the refuge continues. the Friends is positioning itself to move into the 21st Century by doing projects and programs to help meet the demands of urbanization, outdoor recreation and natural resources protection. A partnership between the US Fish & Wildlife Service and MN Department of Natural Resources recently resulted in acquisition of a 1500 acre parcel on the Minnesota River bluffs in Carver County for addition to the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. 'this acquisition results in a 5000 acre block of protected habitat straddling both sides of the Minnesota River. The area is a valuable corridor for wildlife and it maintains the floodplain in a natural state. This allows floodwaters a place for storage with- out increasing damage potential, as well as restoring a unique floodplain community . Many of the plants are dependent on a season- ally flooded habitat. . The property contains two oxbow lakes and a restored 200 acre marsh. There is at least 50 acres of native prairie and oak savanna along the bluffs. Future habitat restoration plans include restoring approximately 300 acres of upland crop area to native prairie and allowing 500 acres of floodplain croplands to revert to floodplain forest. When restoration is completed, this area wiU provide a view of the valley that was similar to that seen by original settlers and native Americans. Although the property title was transferred in March, the family will retain possession of the property through 1996. Public use of the property is not expected until sometime in 1997. A second property. 845 acres in Bloomington, is also available for acquisition. The property would provide public access to Long Meadow Lake and the Minnesota River from the Refuge Visitor Center. Friends of the Minnesota Valley, a citizens group that supports the Refuge, has been working hard to ensure that FY96 Land and Water Conservation Fund monies are appropriated for this pur- chase. Letters of support have been received from Senator Wellstone. and Congressmen Ramstad and Sabo. Congressman Ramstad has formally requested. that the House Appropria- tions Committee and. the Subcommittee on the Interior make funds available for this purchase. DNR 1M on tet n num rs: Twin Cities: (612) 296-6157 MN Toll Free: 1-80x766-6000 Telecommunication Device for the Deaf: (612) 296-5484 MN Toll Free: 1-800-657-3929