U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service - Patuxent Research Refuge U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Logo National Wildlife Refuge System Logo FWS Northeast Region

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Public Programs

(See June Schedule)

May 2013

All programs are FREE (except noted with $$), however, donations to The Friends of Patuxent are greatly appreciated!.  Note: These public programs are designed for individuals/families. Programs REQUIRE advance reservations. Please call 301-497-5887 to make your reservation. Please advise us of any special needs so that we may accommodate you.

Programs held at the
National Wildlife Visitor Center

The National Wildlife Visitor Center is located on Powder Mill Road between the Baltimore-Washington Parkway and Rt. 197.

Bird Walk
Wednesday, May 1st, 8:00-10:30am,
Wednesday, May 15th, 8:00-10:30am,
Wednesday, May 29th, 8:00-10:30am,
Ages 16+
Search for birds in several refuge habitats on this guided hike. Field guides and binoculars are recommended.

Nature's Images Photography Workshop
by Sol Levine ($$)
Saturday, May 4th, 9:00am - 4:15pm
Ages 13+
Are you looking to expand your capabilities with your digital or film camera? Learn
about equipment, f-stop, shutter speed, metering, composition, and more.
Advanced Registration & Payment ($$) required by April 29, 2013
Complete details here

earth under magnifying glassHabitat Detectives
Sunday, May 5th,
2:00-3:30pm,
Ages 5-7
Become a super sleuth and explore the various habitats on the refuge, discovering native wildlife and identifying the adaptations that help them survive.

Nature Tots: Busy Bees
Monday, May 6th,
10:30-11:30am & 1:00-2:00pm,
Ages 3-4
Buzz on over to Patuxent to discover how bees help give us flowers and food by becoming a bee in this hands-on, interactive program.

Waterfowl Wander
Saturday, May 11th, 9:00am-11:00am,
All Ages
Celebrate International Migratory Bird Day at the refuge by taking a casual 1 mile hike along the Cash Lake Trail to discover the life history of resident and migratory waterfowl. See an amazing array of colors, shapes and sizes as we look for geese, ducks, swans, herons and many more.

whooping craneWhooping Crane Talk
Sunday, May 12th,
12:30-1:30pm,
All Ages
Join Joe Duff, co-founder of Operation Migration, as he describes his experience leading flocks of young Whooping Cranes on their first migration. Joe assisted with the first human led migration experiment in 1993. He has conducted 21 similar studies with geese, swans, and cranes leading birds for thousands of miles! Don’t miss this exciting story and the inspiring images he has captured of these endangered birds along the way. REGISTRATION NOT REQUIRED.

Whooping Crane Tour
Sunday, May 12th, 2:00-3:30pm,
Ages 14+
Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center to observe the graceful endangered whooping cranes. Arrive early, as tour will leave on time. Space is very limited. REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

hamsterPuppet Show:
On The Wild Side

Saturday, May 25th, 10:30am & 3:00pm,
All Ages
Follow the journey of a little hamster to see if he’s a wild or domestic animal in this cute puppet show. Show runs approximately 20 minutes. All Ages Welcome. No Registration Necessary.

Programs held at the
North Tract

The North Tract is located on
Rt. 198 between the Baltimore-Washington Parkway and Rt. 32.

flickerBird Walk
Saturday, May 18th,
8:15-10:15am,
All Ages
Search for birds in several refuge habitats on this guided hike. Field guides and binoculars are recommended.

Herp Search
Saturday, May 18th, 1:00-2:30pm,
All Ages
Join a refuge naturalist on this guided search for reptiles and amphibians. Wear good walking shoes!

Night Hike
Saturday, May 18th, 7:45-9:15pm,
Ages 5+
Discover the nighttime world of the refuge as you look and listen for nocturnal animals on this guided walk.

Wild flowerWildflower Walk
Saturday, May 25th,
10:00am-12:00pm,
All Ages
Come search for wildflowers on the refuge. Learn why these springtime blooms are so important in the refuge ecosystem. Remember to dress for the weather. Field guides are recommended.

To find out about upcoming programs..........Join our list serve, or pick up a flyer at the refuge, or check your local newspaper or library.  Programs are also listed in the Volunteers <->Friends newsletter. Annual memberships are available at $15.00, payable to Friends of the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Inc., 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop, Laurel, MD 20708-4027.

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June 2013

All programs are FREE (except noted with $$), however, donations to The Friends of Patuxent are greatly appreciated!.  Note: These public programs are designed for individuals/families. Programs REQUIRE advance reservations. Please call 301-497-5887 to make your reservation. Please advise us of any special needs so that we may accommodate you.

Programs held at the
National Wildlife Visitor Center

The National Wildlife Visitor Center is located on Powder Mill Road between the Baltimore-Washington Parkway and Rt. 197.

Fun with Food Chains!
Wednesday, June 5th, 10:30-11:30am,
Ages 5-7
Explore some of the amazing food chains in nature through games and a hike in this fun filled program. Registration required.

Kid with fish and DadKids Fishing Day
Saturday, June 8th,
8:30am – 11:00am
Ages 15 and under
Program full - registration is closed.
Novice anglers can learn how to cast a rod, identify types of fish and enjoy the experience of fishing. All fishing equipment will be provided for the event, and there will be staff available to assist.
Registration required. Registration begins at 9:15am on May 1. Call 301-497-5887
Get all the details.

Whooping Crane Tour
Sunday, June 9th, 2:00-3:30pm,
Ages 14+
Program full - registration is closed.
Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center to observe the graceful endangered whooping cranes. Arrive early, as tour will leave on time. Space is very limited, registration required.

whooping craneWhooping Crane Adventure
Sunday, June 9th,
2:30-3:30pm,
Ages 8-10
Follow the journey of Cinnamon in this fictional account that shares the experiences of a typical whooping crane raised at Patuxent Research Refuge. Discover how these new recruits join the Eastern migratory flock of wild whoopers!
No registration required.

Dabblers and Divers!
Tuesday, June 11th, 2:00-3:30pm,
Ages 8-10
Discover all the different types of waterfowl taking up residence at the refuge including the threatened canvasback. What is a canvasback, anyway? Explore one of the visitor center’s least- known exhibits and meet a live duck! Registration required.

Bird Walk
Wednesday, June 12th, 8:00-10:30am,
Ages 16+
Search for birds in several refuge habitats on this guided hike. Field guides and binoculars are recommended. Registration required.

frog on lily padTiny Tots:
Nature and Music

Tuesday, June 25th, 10:30-11:15am,
Ages 18mos-42mos
Come learn about the wildlife at the refuge through songs and rhyming. Parental participation required. Registration required.

Nature Tots: Devoted Dads
Thursday, June 27th,
10:30-11:30am & 1:00-2:00pm,
Ages 3-4
Program full - registration is closed.
Introduce your preschooler to some of nature’s most devoted Dads that help protect and care for their babies. Registration required.

Programs held at the
North Tract

The North Tract is located on
Rt. 198 between the Baltimore-Washington Parkway and Rt. 32.

Bird Walk
Saturday, June 29th, 8:15-10:15am,
All Ages
Search for birds in several refuge habitats on this guided hike. Field guides and binoculars are recommended. Registration required.

Herp Search
Saturday, June 29th, 1:00-2:30pm,
All Ages
Join a refuge naturalist on this guided search for reptiles and amphibians. Wear good walking shoes! Registration required.

screech owlOwl Prowl
Saturday, June 29th, 8:00-9:30pm,
Ages 10+
Explore the refuge at night while looking and listening for owls. Registration required.

To find out about upcoming programs..........Join our list serve, or pick up a flyer at the refuge, or check your local newspaper or library.  Programs are also listed in the Volunteers <->Friends newsletter. Annual memberships are available at $15.00, payable to Friends of the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Inc., 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop, Laurel, MD 20708-4027.

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