June

Friday-Sunday June 5 – 7: Third Annual Southern Boreal Bird Festival. 

Saturday, June 13:  Breeding Birds Walk, 7 am, meet at the Refuge Visitor Center, led by Volunteer Casey Rucker. 

Sunday, June 14:  What’s Blooming on the Refuge?, 2 pm, meet at the Refuge Visitor Center, led by Master Naturalists.

Friday, June 19:  Snapping Turtles, 6 – 9 pm, at the Refuge Visitor Center, led by Dr. Ed Michael.  Have you seen these long lived valley residents digging in the loose gravel near the roads?  Wildlife Biologist Dr. Ed Michael will tell us the story of these creatures.  His book “A Valley Called Canaan” will be available for purchase and autographing. 

Saturday June 20: Valley Vibes: Native Trout and their Habitat, 7 pm, at the Refuge Visitor Center. Trout Unlimited presenters Gary Berti and Randy Kesling will share the stage for this exploration. Find out what we can do to help conserve this native of our cold water streams. 

Saturday June 27:  Refuge Block Party, a bar-be-cue for our neighbors.

July

Saturday, July 11: Journaling in Nature, 1 pm, meet at Refuge Visitor Center. presented by Intern Emily Jones.

Saturday, July 11: Photography: Composing the Image , 7 pm, at the Refuge Visitor Center. Presented by Resident Photographer Frank Ceravalo.

Saturday July 18: Valley Vibes: 7 pm, at the Refuge Visitor Center.

Sunday, July 19:  What’s Blooming on the Refuge?, 2 pm, meet at the Refuge Visitor Center, led by Master Naturalists.

Wednesday, July 22: Photography: Taking Sharper Pictures, 7 pm, at the Refuge Visitor Center. Presented by Resident Photographer Frank Ceravalo.

Saturday, July 25:  Mid-Summer Bird Walk, 7 am, meet at the Refuge Visitor Center, led by Volunteer Casey Rucker. 

August

Saturday, August 1: Insects of Canaan Valley, 10 am, meet at the Refuge Visitor Center. Presented by Intern Amber Myers.

Sunday, August 9: Open House with Photographer Kent Mason, 7 - 9 pm, at the Refuge Visitor Center.

Saturday August 15: Valley Vibes: , 7 pm, at the Refuge Visitor Center.

Sunday, August 16:  What’s Blooming on the Refuge?, 2 pm, meet at the Refuge Visitor Center, led by Master Naturalists.

Saturday, August 29:  Early Migration Bird Walk, 7 am, meet at the Refuge Visitor Center, led by Volunteer Casey Rucker. 

All events are free.  These events are co-sponsored by the Friends of the 500th and the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge.  Some are also co-sponsored by White Grass Ski Touring Center.

For walks:  Please wear warm comfortable walking boots and dress for the weather.  Unless otherwise stated, walks meet at the Refuge office to carpool to a Refuge trail.  Binoculars may be borrowed during Refuge sponsored events.  Bring drinking water and enthusiasm!  Call 304-866-3858 for more information.