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Project Titles:
- Construct Headquarters Visitor Building (FFS #R3AF)
- Employ 30 YCC Enrollees (FFS #R3NA*)
State: Wisconsin
Project Description: Work is on schedule for the 2012 completion of a $6 million Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge’s La Crosse District visitors center in Wisconsin, thanks to funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The new visitors center includes office space for staff in a state-of-the-art, energy efficient facility for the multitide of visitors to this scenic refuge.
The construction of this new facility also eliminates the existing expensive lease costs at an off-site location and provides for the adequate base of operations for staff and volunteers, while creating a welcoming atmosphere for members of the public.
Prior to the start of construction, the refuge contracted, for the Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center to monitor the cultural resources that might be found on the location of the new site. MVAC recommended steps to be taken to protect and properly excavate any cultural resources that might be located. To date, no significant discoveries have arisen and work on the new center is proceeding on schedule.
The new site is being constructed on Brice Prairie near La Crosse. The facility will include offices, restrooms, a break room, and a conference room for office staff. The building also includes visitor contact facilities that consist of a multi-purpose room, lobby with exhibit space, reception area, and public restrooms. The facility location will also become a trailhead to provide public access to a restored prairie and other refuge lands.
The new facility will meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards and provide energy costs savings, while providing a modern and accessible visitor facility for the American public. Constructing the facility will provide better customer service to the public, increased environmental education opportunities, and reduce the Service’s leased space costs. In addition to the office facility, these funds will also be used to construct a maintenance shop, equipment storage facility and all needed infrastructure. This project was identified in the refuge’s Comprehensive Conservation Plan.
The refuge will also use $18,000 to to hire youth as part of the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC). This program provides summer employment for youth between the ages of 15 and 18 and provides them an opportunity to work, earn, and learn by completing projects that further the development and conservation of the nation’s natural resources. The most important objective of the program is to take young adults from different social, economic, racial, and cultural backgrounds and place them in an environment where they can cultivate work, social, and educational skills.
For additional information about the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge La Crosse District, visit the Upper Mississippi River Refuge website.
Photos:
 (from left) Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Secretary Matt Frank; Jack Waide, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS); Mike Jawson, USGS; Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle; Jim Nissen, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS); Don Hultman; FWS, La Crosse Mayor Matt Harter; and Congressman Ron Kind, listen as Leon Carl, USGS speaks to guests at a May 28 ceremony |
 The group listens as Congressman Ron Kind speaks at the May 28 ceremony, which was held to celebrate the construction of a new headquarters facility for the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge – La Crosse District. The project will be funded by $6.1 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 |
 Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle addresses guests at the May 28 ceremony |
 U.S. Representative Ron Kind addresses the crowd at the ceremony |
 (from left to right) Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Manager Kevin Foerster, Congressman Ron Kind and Midwest Regional Director Tom Melius lead a celebration to unveil the new design for the Upper Mississippi River NW&FR Visitors Center with the help of students from the local Sand Lake Elementary School. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service photo) |
 This Brice Prairie location will soon sport a new state-of-the-art Visitors Center and office space for the Upper Mississippi River NW&FR La Crosse District. Construction is expected to be complete in 2012. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service photo) |
*Project R3NA is a Regionwide project impacting multiple sites. A “Youth Employment in the Midwest Region” page is forthcoming to cover other projects receiving Recovery Act funding to employ Youth Conservation Corps enrollees.
Originally posted 08/10/2009
Updated 08/31/2009
Updated 06/15/2010
Updated 11/09/2011
