Contacts
Susan Kain, Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge, (208) 467-9278
Lyndell Jackson, Friends of Deer Flat, (208) 459-4740
2009 marks the centennial of Lake Lowell and Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge
With the stroke of a pen on February 25th, 1909, President Theodore Roosevelt signed Executive Order 1032 establishing Deer Flat Reservoir as Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge. Although originally built for irrigation, President Roosevelt realized that a lake in the desert would also be a wildlife oasis. Just three days after Boise River water was released into the New York Canal to begin filling the reservoir, Roosevelt set aside Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge as the 21st refuge in the National Wildlife Refuge System, which now protects 550 refuges on over 150 million acres.
To celebrate 100 years of working together for wildlife, Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge at Lake Lowell will host a grand Centennial Festival on Saturday, June 6th from 11 AM-3 PM. This free, family-friendly event will include children's activities, informational booths, displays of art from local wildlife artists, guided tours and talks, a barbecue, live music, and the grand opening of a new historical interpretive trail.
Centennial Festival admission is free and the cost of the barbecue will be less than $5. The refuge Visitor Center is on the west side of the Upper Dam at Lake Lowell. The new Visitor Center entrance road is at the intersection of Indiana and Roosevelt. For more information about the Centennial Festival, please contact the refuge at (208) 467-9278 or deerflat@fws.gov.
The refuge provides sanctuary for migratory birds and other wildlife on nearly 12,000 acres, from the open waters, wetland edges, and sagebrush uplands at Lake Lowell to the grasslands and riparian forests on over 100 islands in the Snake River. The refuge also provides an oasis for people seeking wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities such as wildlife watching, wildlife photography, hunting, fishing, environmental education, and environmental interpretation.
Centennial Festival Schedule
11:00 Flag raising (Boy Scout Troop #502) kicks off festival
11:05 Centennial Trail guided walk
11:30 Lecture: History through photos; John Martinson, US Bureau of Reclamation
12:00 Centennial Art Contest Award Ceremony
Lunch available until 2 (nominal fee)
12:30 Lecture: CCC at Deer Flat; Marc Frisk, Boise State University
Live music (Treasure Valley String Quartet) begins (12:30-1:30)
1:00 Showing of Seeking Refuge (from Idaho Public Television’s “Outdoor Idaho”)
1:30 Birthday cake served (free)
2:00 Guided birding walk
3:00 Festival ends
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.
|
