Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
Northeast Region


Toms Cove Hook Closed to Vehicles, Horseback Riding and Pedestrians

Creating a Refuge Conservation Plan for the Future, Wildlife and You

This year, we will work with local interests to develop a 15-year comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) for Chincoteague. The CCP will evaluate three alternative strategies for managing wildlife,  recreational uses, and other activities on the refuge.  Each alternative will include a recreational beach, beachside and offsite parking for visitors, and continuing management of the Chincoteague pony herd. With your involvement, we will develop a CCP that will ensure that Chincoteague remains a spectacular place for wildlife and a vacation destination. For updates and information on the Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) for Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge please click here.

 
Credit: Photos courtesy of John White and USFWS
Images from Chincoteague NWR.
Refuge Highlights


Thanking America’s Armed Forces
Active Duty U.S. Military Offered Free Entrance to National Wildlife Refuges

To show appreciation for those who serve in the U.S. Military, on May 19 – Armed Forces Day – the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will begin issuing an annual pass offering free entrance for active duty military members and their dependents to Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and every unit of the Refuge System, as well as National Parks and other public lands. For more information click here

 
Children in the Woods Day Camp The 2012 applications for Children in the Woods Day Camp are now available. Three sessions of camp will be held this year and each day of camp runs from 9am to 1pm. Click here for the press release and application.


FWS App

A new mobile application for smart phones provides instant information on bird watching, trails and historic sites on national wildlife refuges.The app is called “myRefuge” and may be downloaded for free for a limited time from iTunes. It is made for the iPhone and the iPad. More refuges are being added to the app regularly. 

More information on the app is available here
 

 
Topic of Conversation....
 

Barbara Kelly wins IMBC Art Logo Contest

Barbarb Kelly wins IMBC Art Logo Contest

Barbara Kelly of Denville, New Jersey is the winner of the 18th Annual International Migratory Bird Celebration (IMBC) art logo contest at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.  Kelly’s winning submission, a line drawing of a Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, will adorn the celebration’s program flyers, T-shirts, and other memorable keepsakes. Full Story
 
2012 Virginia Jr. Duck Stamp Results


Jr. Duck Stamp Program

 

 

  
Upcoming Events
 
June 9
Free Fee Day
 

June 14
Chincoteague Natural History Association Talk
7pm - Barrier Islands of the World Presented by Dr. Orrin Pilkey
Herbert H. Bateman Educational Center
This program is free and open to the public. Refuge admission is free for program attendees.
 

June 15
9am - Beach Walk with Dr. Orrin Pilkey
Call Chincoteague Natural History Association at 757-336-3696 to register for this program. Light lunch will be served at the Bateman Center following the program.
 

See Calendar of Events for future events
 
 
 
Did You Know...
1610 AM Radio Sign Chincoteague NWR is on the radio?
If you are within a 5 mile radius of the Refuge you can tune into 1610 AM for Traffic Advisories and Refuge Information.
 
Be On The Lookout...
Northern Diamondback For The Northern Diamondback Terrapin while driving on coastal roads in May - July.

Why did the turtle cross the road?
To get to the other side of course, but did you ever wonder why? The answer is to nest. All turtles that get run over by vehicles are adult females that are just looking for a place on the shoulder of roads, above the high tide line, to dig their nests and lay their eggs (typically 8 to 12 per nest). If you see a turtle crossing the road, please make every effort to safely avoid her. If you decide to move her to the side of the road, make sure it is in the direction that she is headed, only if it is safe for you to do so. Do not take the turtle to a "safer" place. Remember, turtles have a home area that they are familiar with and they will try to return there.

 

 


The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System is:
To administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management, and where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
 

 
Last updated: May 15, 2012