Spring and Summer Nature Programs
Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge offers a variety of public programs from April through September. Programs include guided nature, bird, and photography walks.
Unless otherwise indicated, all programs leave from the Visitor Center. Walking trails are beginner level, smooth with no elevation. Wear comfortable shoes. Feel free to bring binoculars or check them out from the Visitor Center. Programs are open to the public and free of charge, but the $3 Refuge entrance fee still applies. Programs will last anywhere from 1-2 hours, depending on the presenter and topic. Remember, pets are not allowed at the Refuge, and biking and running are prohibited. If you have any questions, call the Refuge at (360)753-9467.
Nature Program Descriptions for 2012
April 2012 
Saturday, April 7
How to Keep a Wave on the Sand; Capturing the Outdoors in Photographs
10am – 1pm
Come learn some basic and professional outdoor photography techniques and tips from writer and national photographer Greg Farley. Learn to take your camera off the “automatic” settings and onto the “manual” settings in just a couple of hours. Workshop participants will spend time inside learning camera operations, then head outside to apply what they’ve learned. Never again let nature’s beauty escape your lens! Bring your camera (film, DSLR, or point and shoot), extra batteries and a sense of adventure! Meet in the Visitor Center auditorium.
Saturday, April 7
Birds of a Feather: Take Flight on a Bird Walk
10am – 1pm
With spring migration in full swing, the Refuge is all aflutter! Experience the thrill of seeing swallows (four different species) or the "wichity wichity" of the common yellowthroat! Join birder Eric Slagle, an expert who knows the ins and outs of birding at Nisqually, for a bird walk full of the sights and sounds of one of the Refuge's largest treasures - the birds! meet at the landing overlooking the pond at the Visitor Center.
Sunday, April 8
Our Amazing Plant World
1pm – 2:30pm
Spring is the perfect time to experience the Refuge plant life in all its diversity. Join Sally Vogel on a nature walk through the Refuge - all the while learning about plant-insect interactions, adaptations for survival and other interesting facts. You only live once: Stop to smell the flowers! Meet at the flagpole in front of the Visitor Center.
Saturday, April 14
Birds of a Feather: Take Flight on a Bird Walk
8:30am – 12 noon
Experience the thrill of seeing a Peregrine Falcon (the world's fastest bird) or of hearing a woodpecker pecking away (up to 20 pecks per second)! Join birder Dave Richardson, an expert who knows the ins and outs of birding at Nisqually, for a bird walk full of the sights and sounds of one of the Refuge's largest treasures - the birds! meet at the landing overlooking the pond at the Visitor Center.
Saturday, April 14
The Beauty of Nisqually
1pm – 3pm
From bitterns to butterflies, chickadees to crabapples, the Refuge is home ot many types of wildlife. Join naturalist Juni Greenough on this nature walk that is sure to teach you something new about the creatures of the Refuge. Meet at the flagpole in front of the Visitor Center.
Sunday, April 15
Nature Up Close: Introduction to Macro Nature Photography
10am - 12 noon
Dew drops on flower petals; the eyes of insects. These details represent the oft overlooked true visual poetry of nature. Join Refuge photographer, John Whitehead for discussion, demonstration, and practice of up close nature photography. Meet in the Visitor Center.
Sunday, April 15
The Nisqually Delta and Medicine Creek, Where Nature, Culture, and History Converge
1pm - 2:30pm
Lynn Corliss leads you down history’s winding path on this historic tour. Learn about the events surrounding the signing of the Medicine Creek Treaty, explore how the Nisqually people came to the Nisqually delta and how their lives changed with the settlement of Europeans. This walk will also focus on the significant events that surrounded the signing of the Medicine Creek Treaty. Discover important things about the people who enjoyed this land before you did. Meet in the Visitor Center.
Saturday, April 21
Birds of a Feather: Take Flight on a Bird Walk
8:30am - 12 noon
Experience the thrill of seeing a Peregrine Falcon (the world's fastest bird) or of hearing a woodpecker pecking away (up to 20 pecks per second)! Join birder Dave Richardson, an expert who knows the ins and outs of birding at Nisqually, for a bird walk full of the sights and sounds of one of the Refuge's largest treasures - the birds! meet at the landing overlooking the pond at the Visitor Center.
Saturday, April 21
How to Keep a Wave on the Sand; Capturing the Outdoors in Photographs
10am – 1pm
Come learn some basic and professional outdoor photography techniques and tips from writer and national photographer Greg Farley. Learn to take your camera off the “automatic” settings and onto the “manual” settings in just a couple of hours. Workshop participants will spend time inside learning camera operations, then head outside to apply what they’ve learned. Never again let nature’s beauty escape your lens! Bring your camera (film, DSLR, or point and shoot), extra batteries and a sense of adventure! Meet in the Visitor Center auditorium.
Saturday, April 21
It's in Your Nature: Explore the Wild
10am - 12 noon
From bitterns to butterflies, chickadees to crabapples, the Refuge is home ot many types of wildlife. Join naturalists Art Pavey, Jan Kramer, and Cheri Greenwood on this nature walk that is sure to teach you something new about the creatures of the Refuge. Meet at the flagpole in front of the Visitor Center.
Saturday, April 28
Birds of a Feather: Take Flight on a Bird Walk
10am – 1pm
With spring migration in full swing, the Refuge is all aflutter! Experience the thrill of seeing swallows (four different species) or the "wichity wichity" of the common yellowthroat! Join birder Eric Slagle, an expert who knows the ins and outs of birding at Nisqually, for a bird walk full of the sights and sounds of one of the Refuge's largest treasures - the birds! meet at the landing overlooking the pond at the Visitor Center.
May 2012
Friday, May 4
Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival
7am – 3pm, Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge; 3pm - 7pm, Hoquiam High School
Don’t miss your chance to celebrate the spring shorebird migration that happens every year along our coast. Join in the many activities offered at the Festival including field trips, lectures and a birding marketplace. Best shorebird viewing at Grays Harbor NWR is from 10:45am-2:45pm www.shorebirdfestival.com.
Saturday, May 5
Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival
7:30am - 5pm, Hoquiam High School
Don’t miss your chance to celebrate the spring shorebird migration that happens every year along our coast. Join in the many activities offered at the Festival including field trips, lectures and a birding marketplace. Best shorebird viewing at Grays Harbor NWR is from 11:45am-3:45pm www.shorebirdfestival.com.
Saturday, May 5
Birding Basics: Learning to See
9am – 11am
What subtle cues do experienced birders use to quickly and accurately identify species? Birding is nothing less than the art of seeing, so the techniques used by birders increase awareness of all things natural. Refuge Ranger Michael Schramm will guide you through the estuary’s diverse habitats on an odyssey of avian discovery, all the while teaching the ins and outs of birding. Meet at the landing overlooking the pond at the Visitor Center – and remember to bring binoculars!
Saturday, May 5
The Beauty of Nisqually
1pm – 3pm
From bitterns to butterflies, chickadees to crabapples, the Refuge is home ot many types of wildlife. Join naturalist Juni Greenough on this nature walk that is sure to teach you something new about the creatures of the Refuge. Meet at the flagpole in front of the Visitor Center.
Sunday, May 6
Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival
8:30am – 4pm, Hoquiam High School
Don’t miss your chance to celebrate the spring shorebird migration that happens every year along our coast. Join in the many activities offered at the Festival including field trips, lectures and a birding marketplace. Best shorebird viewing at Grays Harbor NWR is from 12:40pm - 4:40pm www.shorebirdfestival.com.
Saturday, May 12
How to Keep a Wave on the Sand; Capturing the Outdoors in Photographs
10am – 1pm
Come learn some basic and professional outdoor photography techniques and tips from writer and national photographer Greg Farley. Learn to take your camera off the “automatic” settings and onto the “manual” settings in just a couple of hours. Workshop participants will spend time inside learning camera operations, then head outside to apply what they’ve learned. Never again let nature’s beauty escape your lens! Bring your camera (film, DSLR, or point and shoot), extra batteries and a sense of adventure! Meet in the Visitor Center auditorium.
Saturday, May 12
Birds of a Feather: Take Flight on a Bird Walk
10am – 1pm
With spring migration in full swing, the Refuge is all aflutter! Experience the thrill of seeing swallows (four different species) or the "wichity wichity" of the common yellowthroat! Join birder Eric Slagle, an expert who knows the ins and outs of birding at Nisqually, for a bird walk full of the sights and sounds of one of the Refuge's largest treasures - the birds! meet at the landing overlooking the pond at the Visitor Center.
Saturday, May 19
Birds of Nisqually
9am – 11am
Many species of bird, from the tiny Rufous Hummingbird to the majestic Bald Eagle, nest on the Refuge. Check out the avian beauty with longtime birder Phil Kelley, who knows the Refuge backwards and forwards. On this guided walk, you are sure to learn something new! Meet at the landing overlooking the pond at the Visitor Center.
Sunday, May 20
The Nisqually Delta and Medicine Creek, Where Nature, Culture, and History Converge
1pm - 2:30pm
Lynn Corliss leads you down history’s winding path on this historic tour. Learn about the events surrounding the signing of the Medicine Creek Treaty, explore how the Nisqually people came to the Nisqually delta and how their lives changed with the settlement of Europeans. This walk will also focus on the significant events that surrounded the signing of the Medicine Creek Treaty. Discover important things about the people who enjoyed this land before you did. Meet in the Visitor Center.
Saturday, May 26
How to Keep a Wave on the Sand; Capturing the Outdoors in Photographs
10am – 1pm
Come learn some basic and professional outdoor photography techniques and tips from writer and national photographer Greg Farley. Learn to take your camera off the “automatic” settings and onto the “manual” settings in just a couple of hours. Workshop participants will spend time inside learning camera operations, then head outside to apply what they’ve learned. Never again let nature’s beauty escape your lens! Bring your camera (film, DSLR, or point and shoot), extra batteries and a sense of adventure! Meet in the Visitor Center auditorium.
Saturday, May 26
It's in Your Nature: Explore the Wild
10am - 12 noon
From bitterns to butterflies, chickadees to crabapples, the Refuge is home ot many types of wildlife. Join naturalists Art Pavey, Jan Kramer, and Cheri Greenwood on this nature walk that is sure to teach you something new about the creatures of the Refuge. Meet at the flagpole in front of the Visitor Center.
Saturday, May 26
Birds of a Feather: Take Flight on a Bird Walk
10am – 1pm
With spring migration in full swing, the Refuge is all aflutter! Experience the thrill of seeing swallows (four different species) or the "wichity wichity" of the common yellowthroat! Join birder Eric Slagle, an expert who knows the ins and outs of birding at Nisqually, for a bird walk full of the sights and sounds of one of the Refuge's largest treasures - the birds! meet at the landing overlooking the pond at the Visitor Center.
Saturday, May 27
It's in Your Nature: Explore the Wild
10am - 11:30am
From bitterns to butterflies, chickadees to crabapples, the Refuge is home ot many types of wildlife. Join naturalists Donna Snow on this nature walk that is sure to teach you something new about the creatures of the Refuge. Meet at the flagpole in front of the Visitor Center.
June 2012
Saturday, June 2
Birding Basics: Learning to See
9am – 11am
What subtle cues do experienced birders use to quickly and accurately identify species? Birding is nothing less than the art of seeing, so the techniques used by birders increase awareness of all things natural. Refuge Ranger Michael Schramm will guide you through the estuary’s diverse habitats on an odyssey of avian discovery, all the while teaching the ins and outs of birding. Meet at the landing overlooking the pond at the Visitor Center – and remember to bring binoculars!
Sunday, June 3
The Photographer’s Eye: The Basics of Outdoor Photography
10am – 12 noon
Nature photography offers individuals the opportunity to develop their finer naturalist instincts and vision, and the beginner’s eye is often the eye that sees most clearly. With this in mind, experienced refuge photographer John Whitehead offers guidance in technique and composition, with emphasis on learning to utilizing manual settings in order to more completely capture the image you want to capture. Meet at the Visitor Center.
Saturday, June 9
How to Keep a Wave on the Sand; Capturing the Outdoors in Photographs
10am – 1pm
Come learn some basic and professional outdoor photography techniques and tips from writer and national photographer Greg Farley. Learn to take your camera off the “automatic” settings and onto the “manual” settings in just a couple of hours. Workshop participants will spend time inside learning camera operations, then head outside to apply what they’ve learned. Never again let nature’s beauty escape your lens! Bring your camera (film, DSLR, or point and shoot), extra batteries and a sense of adventure! Meet in the Visitor Center auditorium.
Saturday, June 16
Birds of a Feather: Take Flight on a Bird Walk
10am – 1pm
With spring migration in full swing, the Refuge is all aflutter! Experience the thrill of seeing swallows (four different species) or the "wichity wichity" of the common yellowthroat! Join birder Eric Slagle, an expert who knows the ins and outs of birding at Nisqually, for a bird walk full of the sights and sounds of one of the Refuge's largest treasures - the birds! meet at the landing overlooking the pond at the Visitor Center.
Sunday, June 17
It's in Your Nature: Explore the Wild
10am - 11:30am
From bitterns to butterflies, chickadees to crabapples, the Refuge is home ot many types of wildlife. Join naturalists Donna Snow on this nature walk that is sure to teach you something new about the creatures of the Refuge. Meet at the flagpole in front of the Visitor Center.
Sunday, June 17
The Nisqually Delta and Medicine Creek, Where Nature, Culture, and History Converge
1pm - 2:30pm
Lynn Corliss leads you down history’s winding path on this historic tour. Learn about the events surrounding the signing of the Medicine Creek Treaty, explore how the Nisqually people came to the Nisqually delta and how their lives changed with the settlement of Europeans. This walk will also focus on the significant events that surrounded the signing of the Medicine Creek Treaty. Discover important things about the people who enjoyed this land before you did. Meet in the Visitor Center.
Saturday, June 23
How to Keep a Wave on the Sand; Capturing the Outdoors in Photographs
10am – 1pm
Come learn some basic and professional outdoor photography techniques and tips from writer and national photographer Greg Farley. Learn to take your camera off the “automatic” settings and onto the “manual” settings in just a couple of hours. Workshop participants will spend time inside learning camera operations, then head outside to apply what they’ve learned. Never again let nature’s beauty escape your lens! Bring your camera (film, DSLR, or point and shoot), extra batteries and a sense of adventure! Meet in the Visitor Center auditorium.
Saturday, June 23
It's in Your Nature: Explore the Wild
10am - 12 noon
From bitterns to butterflies, chickadees to crabapples, the Refuge is home ot many types of wildlife. Join naturalists Art Pavey, Jan Kramer, and Cheri Greenwood on this nature walk that is
Sunday, June 24
Nature Up Close: Introduction to Macro Nature Photography
10am - 12 noon
Dew drops on flower petals; the eyes of insects. These details represent the oft overlooked true visual poetry of nature. Join Refuge photographer, John Whitehead for discussion, demonstration, and practice of up close nature photography. Meet in the Visitor Center.
Saturday, June 30
Birds of a Feather: Take Flight on a Bird Walk
10am – 1pm
With spring migration in full swing, the Refuge is all aflutter! Experience the thrill of seeing swallows (four different species) or the "wichity wichity" of the common yellowthroat! Join birder Eric Slagle, an expert who knows the ins and outs of birding at Nisqually, for a bird walk full of the sights and sounds of one of the Refuge's largest treasures - the birds! meet at the landing overlooking the pond at the Visitor Center.
July 2012
The July schedule will be posted in early June.
August 2012
The August schedule will be posted in early June.
September 2012
The entire September schedule will be posted in early June.
Saturday, September 29
Nisqually Watershed Festival
10am – 4pm
Tours and guided walks throughout the day, as well as music, live animal presentations, educational exhibits, a marine touch tank and Fin, the Wild Olympic Salmon! Join us in a celebration of the cultural, economic and natural resources of the Nisqually Watershed!
