Upper Mississippi River Initiative> Events

EVENTS

Field Trips

Join Audubon river guides and interpreters to see the seldom-visited reaches, side channels, and backwaters of the Mississippi River. Field trips focus on birds and bird habitat and the potential for designation of sites on the river as Audubon Important Bird Areas.

Each field trip begins with an on-land orientation and then we travel the river, learning about natural and cultural history as we look for birds and other wildlife. During a mid-trip stop on an island or on shore, participants will hear about the connection between rivers and watersheds and how every person can help care for a favorite river.

Field trips are limited to a group of four people. The fee is $20 per person. For information on river field trips in Minnesota and Wisconsin, contact Dan McGuiness, Director, Upper Mississippi River Initiative, at dmcguiness@audubon.org and Jon Stravers, Field Trip Coordinator, at jstravers@audubon.org for trips in Iowa and Illinois.

For Custom-Designed on-the-river backwater field trips, spring through fall, contact:
In Iowa and Illinois: Jon Stravers, Field Trip Coordinator, jstravers@audubon.org (subject line should say “custom field trips”.

In Minnesota and Wisconnsin: Dan McGuiness, Director, Audubon Upper Mississippi River Campaign, dmcguiness@audubon.org (subject line should say “custom field trips”

The Audubon Ark Sternwheel Riverboat

To see the Audubon Ark (Lilly Belle Sternwheeler) visit the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium in Dubuque, Iowa. Go to http://www.rivermuseum.com/boatyard.htm. The Audubon Ark is available to see in the boatyard during regular museum hours. For more details about the Audubon Ark click here