Saturday, October 3, 2009
8am - 4pm
Entrance fee waived; all programs free

See the Open House Schedule (PDF - 26KB)

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge will hold the 14th Refuge Open House on October 3, 2009 to celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week. There’s lots of exciting and interesting programs scheduled from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Programs throughout the day will be held on the hour and children’s programs on the half hour. You can join in a bird walk, tree walk, nature walk, eagle prowl, or join a van tour of the refuge to see areas not normally open to the public. In addition to learning about some of the research and management programs, you can watch nutria trapping, Delmarva fox squirrel trapping, and small mammal research trapping, as well as learn about secretive nesting bird surveys and wildfire control. Visitors may also watch a live peregrine falcon training demonstration with Falconer Andrew Bullen and watch Native American Daniel “Firehawk” Abbott demonstrate the use of stone, tools, fire, and textiles.

Children can build a bird feeder to take home and/or make their own duck finger puppet or duck egg in arts and crafts. For youths, activities include learning about birds on a bird walk, constructing a wood duck box, learning about invasive species in a puppet show, and hearing about hunter safety while shooting a bow and arrow. They can participate in a wooly bear caterpillar race (bring your own wooly bear caterpillar), as well as Smokey Bear activities and butterfly activities. Kids can also earn a Jr. Refuge Ranger badge by taking part in the Jr. Refuge Ranger Program. Throughout the day, live animals will be on display courtesy of the Horn Point Touch Tank, Carrie Murray Nature Center, Salisbury Zoo, Kerry Turner, and Jim Turek.