![](media/image1.jpeg){width="2.0in" height="1.10625in"}**News Release**

*National Wildlife*

*Refuge System*

> **Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge**
>
> **W28488 Refuge Road**
>
> **Trempealeau, WI 54661**
>
> **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Vickie Hirschboeck**
>
> **(608) 539-2311, ext. 12**
>
> **May 26, 2006 Manager**
>
> **Trempealeau Refuge to Hold Annual Birding Festival**
>
> **To Celebrate Its 70^th^ Birthday!**
>
> Saturday, June 3^rd^, Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge invites
> everyone to come to the Refuge for the Annual Birding Festival and
> ***Celebrate*** International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD)! Each year the
> refuge celebrates IMBD to encourage support for migratory bird
> conservation. This year's theme is **"The Boreal Forest: Bird Nursery
> of the North".** Billions of birds rely on the North American Boreal,
> the largest unspoiled forest remaining in the world. Many of the birds
> we see in our yards and enjoy in our parks and refuges use the boreal
> forest to hatch and raise their young, and they depend on our
> conservation efforts today to protect their nursery for tomorrow.
>
> In addition to celebrating the birds, Trempealeau National Wildlife
> Refuge will commemorate its establishment as a national wildlife
> refuge in 1936. A special history booth will be set up highlighting
> photos of the Refuge in the past and present. A live person in period
> costume from the 1930's era will staff the booth. A special birthday
> cake will be served at noon in the festival tent!
>
> The festival runs from 10 AM to 4 PM on Saturday, June 3^rd^. Join us
> for a few hours or for the whole day! The day guarantees fun for the
> whole family. Some of the activities include; Bird Banding -- capture
> and band live songbirds; Duck Calling -- learn duck calling
> techniques; and learn from an experienced hunter how to care and train
> your best hunting partner -- your dog!
>
> Workshops will also be offered throughout the day...they include;
> Birding by Canoe -- a morning canoe trip on the Refuge (all equipment
> is provided); Birding Hikes - hike with experienced birders that will
> help you spot and identify birds along the way; and Wildflower Walks
> in the prairie with Refuge volunteers who are "in the know" about
> what's blooming in the prairie. Pre-registration is required for the
> workshops and can be made by calling 608/539-2311, ext. 16.
>
> In addition to activities, special attractions include; Musician Doug
> Mahlum will keep you relaxed under the festival tent with some great
> family-style music. The Federal Junior Duck Stamp artwork exhibit is
> on display and a live Bird Cam connection will be on-line to observe
> the activity of two eaglets born at our National Conservation Training
> Center in Shepherdstown, West Virginia.
>
> Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to come out and enjoy a special
> day on the Refuge, catch a glimpse of some birds or just relax under
> the festival tent with friends! For more information regarding the
> festival or other Refuge particulars, call (608)539-2311, ext. 16. TTY
> users may reach Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge through the
> Wisconsin State Relay Service at
>
> 1-800-947-3529.
>
> Directions to the Refuge are; From Winona, MN area, take Rt. 43 across
> the Mississippi River into Wisconsin. Turn right onto Rt. 54 east and
> travel 5.7 miles to West Prairie Road. Turn right onto West Prairie
> Road and travel about 1 mile to the refuge entrance. From La Crosse,
> WI area, take Rt. 53 north to Rt. 54 west. Follow Rt. 54 west to
> Centerville and continue 3.1 miles to West Prairie Road. Turn left on
> West Prairie Road and travel about 1 mile to the Refuge entrance.
>
> Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1936, lies within
> the Mississippi River flyway. This 6,226-acre Refuge contains rolling
> prairies, rich wetlands and bottomland forests, which support a
> variety of wildlife species. It is an isolated backwater, providing
> needed resting and feeding areas for waterfowl and other birds. The
> U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency
> responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife
> and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the
> American people.