Bolduan to present river programs

At National

Wildlife

Refuge in

Bloomington

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

BLOOMINGTON -- New Ulm photographer, naturalist and speaker Ron Bolduan will present a series of photo and slide programs on the Minnesota River in November and December at the Minnesota River Valley National Wildlife Refuge.

He will present a program on Lake Agassiz, River Warren and the Minnesota River Valley, 1:30 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20 at the refuge visitor's center, 3815 East 80th St. in Bloomington.

The program will detail how thousands of years ago, a glacial lake, larger than the combined mass of the Great Lakes, ruptured through a low point in the continental divide near Browns Valley.

The outflow, Glacial River Warren, tore through the Minnesota landscape, creating a valley up to five miles wide and 250 feet deep. It's wake left exposed granite outcroppings as old as any in the world.

The program will examine some of the Minnesota River Valley's unique landscapes created by Glacial Lake Agassiz and River Warren.

Slide photographs will show geological features plus flora and fauna varieties at the sites. A hands-on display will include geologic and natural artifacts.

A slide program on the Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway and Birding Trail set for 1:30 to 3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 4 will feature the byway from the South Dakota border to Belle Plaine. Emphasis will be placed on birding opportunities along the entire trail.

A two-part program with slides and behavioral observations of wildlife in the river basin will be featured, 1:30 to 3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 18. A hands-on display of past and present artifacts like skulls, bones, and pelts will include the role bison and beaver played in Minnesota history.

Meanwhile, a photo exhibit, "Minnesota River Moments," will be featured from Nov. 16 to Dec. 23 in the visitor center gallery. The exhibit can be previewed at www.experiencenature.com

(Fritz Busch can be e-mailed at fbusch@nujournal.com).