The mission of our agency is to support the educational, environmental and recreational goals of Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo which is located North of Byron, MN.

Description:
Friends two major events during the year are the Spring Festival (open house) and the Halloween party for the kids. The annual volunteer recognition dinner is also a big hit. Over the years many events have been sponsored, often in conjunction with other groups such as Audubon Society, including Bird-a-thons, Volksmarches and Christmas Bird Counts.

Along with a membership of 140, the board assists in the following: Funding exhibits, trail development, animal purchases, Zoo Cart Inventory, audio-visual and equipment purchases, Nature Center displays, Nature Center flower beds, the funding of summer interns, teaching programs, Public programming, snowshoe rentals, County Road 105 clean up and fund raising for various Park and Zoo projects. Also, Friends of Oxbow advocates for Park and Zoo issues. Over the years, Friends has raised over $400,000 for Oxbow, and through its membership, has volunteered tens of thousands of hours in various capacities.

History:
In 1982 Friends of Oxbow was incorporated as a nonprofit organization. By-Laws were developed by the founding members Tim Fisk, Pauline Pool, Carmen Normann, Rita Bee, Steve Richardson and Howard Lower.
Today, the board of 12 meet on the second Wednesday of each month.
Current Board members are: Cindy Krueger, President, Dory Gardner, Vice President, Chuck Pavesich, Treasurer, Ruthann Yaeger, Secretary. Directors Everett Beck, Jean Davison, Peg Morris, Paul Piechowski, Val Piechowski, Jen Rand, Bob Whitworth and Dr. Paul Zollman.

Contact people:

Paul Piechowski, Chief Volunteer Officer, (phone), (email) Cindy Krueger, Board President, (phone), (email) Chuck Pavesich, Treasurer, (phone), (email)

Address:

5731 Country Rd 105 NW Byron, MN 55920 This location is handicap accessible (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.friendsofoxbow.org

Directions:

Hiway 14 West to Byron, Mn. take left at the Stop Light at Kwik Trip. Stay on County 105 to the Oxbow Park Sign on your right take a right then a quick left onto the park road entrance.