An open house visitor models a stylish fish print scarf created at the La Crosse Fishery Resources Office display booth. - Photo courtesy of USGS

Waterfowl enthusiasts learning about birds from Park Ranger Ann Blankenship, at the refuge's popular ducks on a stick display for the open house. - Photo courtesy of USGS

A young visitor finds a scaup to her liking at the open house. - Photo courtesy of USGS

Cooperative efforts to conserve natural resources of the Upper Mississippi River (UMR) were highlighted during an open house, September 9, at the U.S. Geological Survey’s Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin.  A crowd of more than 1,400 people of all ages attended the carnival-like event which was held, in-part, outdoors under a “big-top” tent. 

Visitors had the opportunity to meet partners from the Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and learn how they work together to conserve the diverse natural resources of the upper Mississippi River. 

The event, entitled “Taking the Pulse of the River”, also gave visitors many hands-on opportunities to discover more about a variety of UMR fish and wildlife species and methods used to study these creatures and their habitats. 

Representing the Service at this event were staff from the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge-La Crosse District Office, La Crosse Fishery Resources Office, and Friends group members for these offices.