Bluff Happenings

I am glad we are still doing this even though it looks like snowshoes won't be needed. It's always such a pretty night walk, and fun to see our friends.

Our annual Happy Hour on the Bluff will be on Thursday, August 3rd from 5:30-7:30 pm in the Upper Quarry in Memorial Park this year.  Please join us for a light meal, refreshments, games, bonfire with smores, making your own buckthorn hiking stick (about the only thing that buckthorn is good for) and socialization with others who love our bluffs.  For more information, contact David Anderson at redwingbluffs@gmail.com    

Equipment needed - a small shovel or garden trowel, watering can and gloves.

Due to the inclement weather, Hike the Bluff has been cancelled.  You may still hike the trails, enjoys the views and search for the Red Wing Arts Treasures on the Trail.  Please stay off the North Trail.  If you have questions about Friends of the Bluffs, please contact us at redwingbluffs@gmail.com.

Join us on Saturday, February 4th from 6:30-8:30 pm for the 3rd Annual Luminary Snowshoe & Winter Hike at Mississippi National Golf Links.  This event is open to everyone and is free.  For more information, contact David Anderson at redwingbluffs@gmail.com  

Join us on Sunday, January 1st for a First Day Hike! 

We' have three (3) hike scheduled so you can join us for the one that fits you and your family time the best or you can join us for all three!

1.  Sunrise Hike on He Mni Can-Barn Bluff - Meet at the trailhead at 7:00 am.  Sunrise is at 7:50 am and it takes 30-40 minutes to hike up the South Trail and across the Prairie Trail to the East Overlook.

2.  Noontime Hike on Sorin's Bluff - Meet at the Mississippi National Driving Range at noon.  We will be hiking up a new snowshoe route.  You can wear snowshoes or boots.

3.  Sunset Hike on Billings-Tomfohr Conservation Area - Meet at the Neal Street Trailhead at 4:00 pm.  We'll be hiking the Yellow Trail and stopping in a Dry Bluff Prairie to watch the sunset.

All participants must complete a waiver and turn it in to David Anderson.  Waivers will be available  at the start of the hikes.  For more information contact David at redwingbluffs@gmail.com 

Join us for Sunrise Yoga on Saturday, August 6th from 6:00-7:00 am at the East Overlook on He Mni Can-Barn Bluff.  It takes between 15-30 minutes to hike from the trailhead to the East Overlook so plan accordingly.  Sunrise Yoga is open to everyone and is free.  Please bring your own yoga mat. 

Start your River City Days Saturday with a hike to watch the sun rise on He Mni Can-Barn Bluff.  Sunrise is scheduled for 6:02 so Friends of the Bluffs volunteers will be at the trailhead at 5:15 am with coffee and treats.  For more information contact David Anderson at redwingbluffs@gmail.com 

Join us for Happy Hour on He Mni Can-Barn Bluff on Thursday, July 21st from 5:30-7:00 pm.  Come enjoy refreshments and treats, see the new and improved trailhead and learn about activities and events Friends of the Bluffs are organizing.  Happy Hour on the Bluff is open to everyone in the community.  

Red Wing Earth Week 2022: Educate · Advocate · Mitigate

April 18th-24th

It’s time to invest in our planet. Together we can all make a difference! – What will you do?

Climate change is highly complex issue. The City of Red Wing recently declared a Climate Emergency and is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% on or before 2040.  There are many actions that you and your family can take to help.  Empowering individuals to make long-term, lasting change requires building climate literacy and understanding personal connections to climate change.  For Earth Week 2022, local organizations have collaborated to plan activities and programs and develop a webpage will provide educational information, connections to local, state, and national organizations that are advocating for policy/system climate change, examples of mitigation strategies that individuals and families can take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and the schedule of all the activities/programs that will be held during the week.

Friends of the Bluffs Activities during Earth Week 2022 

• Sunrise Hike to Kickoff Earth Week - Monday, April 18th at 5:30 am

Open to everyone who wants to start the week off watching the sunrise from the East Overlook on He Mni Can - Barn Bluff.  We will be meeting at the trailhead at 5:30 am, hiking up to the top to watch the sunrise and then hiking back down to the trailhead for coffee and treats.

•     He Mni Can-Barn Bluff South Forest Improvement Project - Tuesday, April 19th from 5-7 pm

Friends of the Bluffs have committed to a three-year effort to remove invasive plants from the South Forest, along the South Trail and will begin working this year on Tuesday, April 19^th from 5-7 pm.  Board members will be there to work and additional volunteers are needed.  If you would like to join us or have questions, contact David Anderson.

• Hike the Bluff - Saturday, April 23^rd 

Everyone in the community is invited to come down to He Mni Can-Barn Bluff anytime between sunrise and sunset and hike up to the East or West overlook, watch eagles soar, explore the new trailhead, watch rock climbers scale the north side and reconnect with this significant cultural/historical landmark.

•         Adopt a Trail - Anytime during Earth Week

Individuals, families, groups of friends, business groups, service organizations, or clubs can adopt a trail or a section of trail on Sorin’s Bluff and the Billings-Tomfohr Conservation Area and pick up litter that has collected over the winter.

The mission of Red Wing Earth Week 2022 is focused on accelerating solutions to combat climate change by activating our community. We provide educational information and activities, encourage advocacy for policy and system change, and challenge everyone to adopt sustainable behaviors.