Creepy Critters Special Event Thursday, October 18

In celebration of National Wildlife Refuge Week join us for our fifth annual Creepy Critters special event! Learn about bats, frogs, lamprey, moths, owls, snakes, bees and more at the FREE “Creepy Critters” trick-or- treat event on Thursday, October 18th, starting at 4:00 p.m. at the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Visitor Center located on Brice Prairie.

This slightly scary adventure is appropriate for children and adults of all ages. Costumes are encouraged! Event activities will be held both indoors and outdoors; please dress for cold weather. The event will be held rain or shine.

4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.: Tantalizing Tales and Discoveries! Inside the Visitor Center, guests may enjoy “Creatures of the Night” – live programming by nature humorist David Stokes, face painting, and a “bat cave” where visitors can experience life as a mother bat seeking her babies through her sense of smell.

4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.: Creepy Critters “Trick-or-Treating.” Fill your brain with facts as you fill your bag with trinkets! Walk around our outside 1/3 mile trail loop while learning the truth behind myths of various “creepy critters” from our region. Live owls, falcons, lamprey, frogs, and a snake will also be on hand to contribute to the educational festivities. Step into puppet show tent for an interactive, imaginative performance!

7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.: “The Unhuggables: Animals Nobody Loves” Join us in the multipurpose room for an exciting 60 minute live animal program presented by environmental educator, David Stokes. Seating for the program is first come, first served.

We would like to thank our sponsors and partners: Friends of the Refuge – Mississippi River Pools 7 & 8, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Midwest Fisheries Center, the National Audubon Society, Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Mycology Club, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Geological Survey Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Western Technical College & WisCorps, as well as the many volunteers who support this event.

For more information, contact the La Crosse District Office at (608) 779-2399 or visit the facility located at N5727 County Road Z, Onalaska, WI. Visitor center hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. and Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The center is closed Sundays and all federal holidays. Information may also be found on the Refuge’s webpage.

Connect with our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/UpperMissNWFR.

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The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge is the most visited refuge in the United States. The refuge extends 261 miles along the Upper Mississippi River from Wabasha, MN to Rock Island, IL, protecting and preserving habitat for migratory birds, fish, and a variety of other wildlife. This 240,000 acre refuge was established in 1924.

In addition to being the most visited refuge in the country, the “Upper Miss” Refuge has the added complexity of a major navigation system, including 11 locks and dams, within its boundary. It is also a world-class fish and wildlife area which harbors 306 species of birds; 119 species of fish; more than 300 active bald eagle nests; thousands of heron and egret nests; spectacular concentrations of canvasback ducks, tundra swans, and white pelicans; and several threatened or endangered species.

Contact

Katie Julian
Refuge Ranger: Visitor Services Specialist.
Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge
La Crosse District
N5727 County Road Z
Onalaska, WI 54650
(608) 779-2391
(608) 779-2393 (fax)
katherine_julian@fws.gov