Don Graves, Professor Rainy River Community College, and students join annual spring birding trip to Agassiz NWR. This year they were able to stay in the area two days thanks to bunkhouse accomodations. - FWS photo by Margaret Anderson

The new bunkhouse, completed in June 2006, hosted two college groups on spring field trips.   Itasca Community College (12 students, 2 professors) spent one night April 27 and Rainy River Community College (6 students, 1 professor) spent two nights, May 4, 5. 

Both groups spents time birding and learning about refuge management.  Both are interested in participating in refuge projects in the future. 

 In the past the old bunkhouse was primarily used by students and researchers during the field season.    

In the 2005 CCP, a new bunkhouse was identified as a need for safe housing for seasonal research and fire staff and to promote more on-site environmental education.   

Agassiz NWR is a fairly long drive for most Universities and high schools, especially if you need to arrive at 6 am.   Staff hope this facility will encourage universities to plan more field trips and become involved in refuge projects. 

Notification of facility availablility for this first year was low key by phone to known contacts. 

In late summer, a formal announcement will be sent to Colleges with Natural Resource programs notifying them of the facility.