Mission Statement of the Mingo Swamp Friends, Inc.
Mingo Swamp Friends, Inc., is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the primary purposes for which Mingo National Wildlife Refuge was established: To provide food and shelter for migratory waterfowl and to protect the bottomland hardwood forest.
Mingo Swamp Friends are mission partners with the Refuge who assist management in carrying out mandates for the conservation of natural and historical resources, preservation of Mingo Wilderness, and fostering of compatible wildlife-dependant public use. Mingo Swamp Friends promote scientific, educational, volunteer, and fund-raising activities as community conservation leaders for the benefit of the resources and the enjoyment of the Refuge by the public.
News Release
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced that Mingo National Wildlife Refuge in Puxico, Missouri will receive more that $2.8 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The funding will support construction of a new Headquarters and Visitor facility at the Refuge.
This project involves replacing the existing visitors' center at Mingo National Wildlife Refuge to increase the energy efficiency of the building, and meet accessibility requirements.
The building will be located on the same site as the existing facility. The extent of the repairs needed to bring the existing building up to current codes and standards would be as costly as constructing a new facility.
"We are excited about this new facility and the increased visitors we expect it will bring to the local community", said Mingo National Wildlife Refuge Manager Ben Mense. " This not only helps the local economy, but it will also help us to reach a broader audience as we tell the story of fish and wildlife resources and the unique habitat we have in southeastern Missouri."
The project is expected to start in the Fall of 2009 and completion date is early 2011.
Donate!
Mingo Swamp Friends is a non-profit organization. Your donations will fund our future projects. Any amount you donate is greatly appreciated!
Links To Other Web Sites
- Mingo National Wildlife Refuge
- America's National Wildlife Refuge System
- Missouri Department of Conservation
- Sikeston Depot Museum
- Three Rivers Community College Tinnin Fine Art Center in Poplar Bluff
- National Wildlife Federation Photo Contest
- National Wildlife Refuge Association Photo Contest
- Nature's Best Photo Contest