Beginning Bird Watching Tours

Take a driving tour of Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge with a trained US Fish and Wildlife Service volunteer to learn how to identify the many birds that frequent the refuge. One tour per day leaves the Refuge Visitor Center at 9 am and last for approximately three to four hours. Suggested items to bring include binoculars, camera, field guides, bug repellant, water and a snack. Loaner binoculars are available.

There is a $3.00 fee per person, children ages 16 and under are free. Cash or check accepted.

• Tour Dates
• Thursdays: 2/11, 2/18, 2/25
• Saturdays: 2/13, 2/20, 2/27
• Sundays: 2/14, 2/21, 2/28

Space is limited. Please call 321-861-5601 to make reservations.

All About Alligators

Join a refuge volunteer, Kathy Eichinger, for a natural history program about the American alligator. View a photo presentation, handle gator artifacts, and learn where the "big boys" hang out. The presentations will be held at the Visitor Center Auditorium on:

• Friday, February 5 at 1 pm
• Saturday, February 13 at 3 pm
• Wednesday, February 17 at 1 pm

Please call 321-861-5601 to make reservations.

February Eagle Watch

Join a Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge volunteer to get close views of adult American Bald Eagles and young on their nest through a spotting scope. No need to make reservations, just drive your own vehicle to the site. Weather permitting; a volunteer will be stationed along the Black Point Wildlife Drive between stops 11 and 12 on the following days:

• Mondays - 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm

  Wednesdays - 2 pm to 4 pm

  Thursdays - 1 pm to 3 pm

  Saturdays - 1 pm to 4 pm

  Sundays - 1 pm to 3 pm

  Call 321-861-5601 for information.

Florida Panther Revealed

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge volunteer will present a photo presentation on the endangered Florida panther. Learn about this cat's natural history and about the current management plans that are in place to help save this magnificent animal. The program is scheduled for Sunday, February 21 at 11 am at the Refuge Visitor Center. Please call 321-861-5601 to make reservations.

Fire!

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is hosting a program about the refuge fire management program. Join Betty and Cary Salter for an inside view of the Refuge's fire management program. Through a photo presentation learn why prescribed fire is used on the refuge, how it is applied and how the wildlife is adapted to fire. This program is scheduled for Sunday, February 21 at 1 pm at the Refuge Visitor Center. Please call 321-861-5601 to make reservations.

All About Manatees

Join a Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Volunteer for a presentation on the endangered manatee. Learn fascinating manatee facts through a power point presentation and hands on manatee artifacts. A field trip to view wild manatees at the Manatee Observation Deck will follow. The program is scheduled for Saturday, February 27 at 2 pm. Please calll 321-861-5601 to make reservations.

Birds of the Refuge Presentation

A Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge volunteer will be presenting a photo presentation on the commonly seen birds of the refuge. Learn identification tips as well as the natural history of a variety of bird species.

• Fridays, February 12 and 26 at 1 pm.
• Thursday, February 18 at 1 pm.

Please call 321-861-5601 to make reservations and for information.

Bald Eagle Presentation & Tour

Learn about one of Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge's fascinating residents - the American Bald Eagle. Watch a power point presentation on the natural history of the bald eagle, followed by a driving tour. Follow refuge guides in your own vehicle to view an active eagle's nest through a spotting scope. The program is scheduled for:

• Wednesday, February 10 and February 24 at 1 pm
• Sunday, February 14 at 11 am
• Call 321-861-5601 for information and reservations.

Plants of Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Join Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge volunteer and retired biologist, Jim Stahl for a photo presentation on refuge plants followed by a driving tour to view and learn about the more common refuge plants - wildflowers, trees, shrubs, grasses, and ferns. The program is scheduled for Saturday, February 20 at 1 pm. Call 321-861-5601 to make reservations and for information.

Oyster Mat Making Workshop

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is hosting an Oyster Mat Making Workshop with Michele Peters-Snyder of the Nature Conservancy. A presentation on the oyster restoration project will be followed by the mat making workshop. Participants will make an oyster mat by attaching oysters individually to small mesh mats. These mats will be placed in the Mosquito Lagoon to provide a stable platform for young oysters to grow. Children ages 8 and older, accompanied by an adult, are invited to participate.

The program is scheduled for Thursday, February 25 at 1 pm. In case of rain, the workshop will be relocated to a covered pavilion. Please call 321-861-5601 to make reservations.

Refuge Nature Driving Tour

Join Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge volunteers for a driving tour in the refuge van. Explore the refuge habitats and discover the diversity of wildlife that makes this refuge special. The program is scheduled for Sunday, February 28 at 1 pm. Call 321-861-5601 to make reservations. Bring binoculars, field guides, and insect repellant. Loaner binoculars and field guides are available.

Duck Identification Program

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge volunteer, Al Brayton, will present a 3-4 hour program about the ducks of the refuge on Sunday, February 14 at 1 pm. He will cover identification tips and natural history of the commonly seen ducks. The program will start with a photo presentation at the Visitor Center, followed by a driving tour of Black Point Wildlife Drive in the refuge van. Loaner binoculars and field guides will be available. Space is limited. Please call 321-861-5601 to make reservations.

Adopt a Trail...Shore...Spot...Road Program

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is proud to announce a new program to help reduce and control litter. Individuals, families, civic groups, clubs, school groups and businesses are invited to participate. The program is patterned after the National Adopt a Road program. Areas open for adoption include interior roads, shorelines, trails and spots such as boat launches and Refuge entrances. Participating members of the program will commit to three litter clean ups per year in their adopted area. Adopting organizations will get a recognition sign posted at their site. Please join us in keeping your refuge clean. Please call Ranger Nancy Corona at 321-861-0668 for more information.