The refuge and the Friends of Rice Lake Refuge will host the national photographic exhibit ?Wild Sights? by renowned wildlife photographers John and Karen Hollingsworth from July 9 to Sept. 9, 2005. The 34 framed images in the unique exhibit provide a glimpse of the natural variety and incredible beauty that exists on National Wildlife Refuges. The exhibit has traveled nationwide since 1988 and is currently showing at The Wildlife Experience Conservation and Art Museum in Denver, Colo.

Karen Hollingsworth will be at the Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge Saturday, July 9 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. to open the ?Wild Sights? exhibit. She will also present a half-hour multi-media program titled ?Let's Go Wild? beginning at 3 p.m. The event is free and wonderful for all ages. Refreshments will be provided by the Friends of Rice Lake.

Hollingsworth photographs have appeared in national publications like American Birds; Audubon; Birder's World; Birding; Bird Watcher's Digest; Defenders; Ducks Unlimited; Field & Stream; National Geographic; National Wildlife; Nature Conservancy; Nature Photographer; Outdoor & Nature Photography; Southern Outdoors; U.S. News & World Report and Wilderness. The Hollingsworth photos are also showcased in the Smithsonian Book of National Wildlife Refuges and America's National Wildlife Refuges: A Complete Guide.

The 18,300 acre Rice Lake NWR is located five-miles south of McGregor on Hwy 65 and is a two hour drive from the Twin Cities; one hour from Duluth, Brainerd and Grand Rapids. The refuge offers numerous public use activities including hunting, fishing, hiking, wildlife observation. More detailed description of the refuge is available on the Internet at: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/ricelake/index.htm Information is also available by calling the refuge: 218-768-2402.