Back by popular demand! The US Fish and Wildlife Service invites you to explore Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) during a series of twelve guided canoe and kayak trips during June, July, and August 2007. On these outings visitors will spend about two hours paddling through the heart of Siletz Bay NWR as they learn about the natural history of some of the wading birds, waterfowl and other wildlife that inhabit the estuary. Siletz Bay NWR also consists of some of the most scenic estuarine habitat along the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway. On either side of the Highway 101, starched skeleton trees jut forth from the estuary and are reminiscent of a time when the salt marsh was diked. Osprey, Red-tailed Hawks and occasionally Bald Eagles can be seen roosting at the top of these snags. A variety of estuarine dependant birds including Great Blue Heron, Great Egret and many species of waterfowl can be seen foraging in the tidally influenced waters. The refuge also provides nursery grounds for coho and chinook salmon, steelhead and cutthroat trout. Siletz Bay NWR was established to protect salt marsh, brackish marsh, tidal sloughs, mudflats, coniferous and deciduous forestland and the wildlife that depends on these unique habitats. Dont miss your chance to come out for a personal interpretive tour of Siletz Bay NWR!

Participants must provide their own canoe or kayak for each trip. The site allows for a primitive drop-in site with no dock therefore we ask that you dress appropriately for walking on a muddy bank and potentially inclement weather. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service can provide binoculars and field guides to use during the trip if needed. Space is limited; please call ahead to make a reservation. The tours will take place at the following dates and times:

Tuesday, June 5 4:30pm-7:00pm
Thursday, June 7 5:45pm-8:15pm
Tuesday, June 19 4:15Pm-6:45pm
Thursday, June 21 5:45pm-8:15pm

Tuesday, July 10 9:30am-12:00pm
Tuesday, July 24 9:15am-11:45am
Thursday, July 26 11:00am-1:30pm

Tuesday, August 14 1:30pm-4:00pm
Thursday, August 16 2:30pm-5:00pm

Participants will meet at the the end of the old highway 101 spur road on the east side of the new Highway 101. From Lincoln City go south on Highway 101, after crossing the Siletz River make the first left (east) onto the old highway 101 and meet at the end. From Newport go north on Highway 101, cross Millport Slough and make the first right East) onto the old highway 101. The old highway 101 turn off is directly across from the Frank Nettleship Dental Office. For further information please see the Oregon Coast NWR Complex website: www.fws.gov/oregoncoast or call Emily Eppinger at 541-867-4550.

The Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Cannery Hill Overlook, De minimis Section 4(f) Determination will posted for 15 days beginning on June 13, 2007 and ending on June 27, 2007. Comments will need to be received by July 6, 2007.

Please mail or e-mail any comments you have to:
Ms.Susan Pobar
610 East Fifth Street
Vancouver, WA 98661
Susan.Pobar@fhwa.dot.gov

Susan can also be reached at (360) 619-7700.

Dawn Grafe, Supervisory Park Ranger for the Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex, has been selected to receive the 2007 Legends Award from the American Recreation Coalition (ARC). The ARC is a Washington-based non-profit organization which strives to promote and facilitate public/private partnerships to enhance and protect outdoor recreational opportunities and the resources upon which such experiences are based.

The Legends Awards are presented annually to one representative each from six Federal agencies, and Dawn is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recipient. The Awards are given in recognition of the recipient's successful efforts to enhance outdoor recreation facilities, resources and experiences on Federal lands. As Supervisory Park Ranger for the Refuge Complex, Dawn is responsible for overseeing outreach, recreation, environmental education and volunteer programs on Cape Meares, Nestucca Bay, Oregon Islands, Siletz Bay and Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuges spanning 320 miles of the Oregon coast.

Dawn is also involved with many refuge partners for outreach and recreation programs on non-refuge lands along the Oregon coast. Her recent accomplishments include playing a pivotal role in the development of the Oregon Coast Birding Trail. The self-guided driving tour of the birding trail covers the entire Oregon and Northern California coastline and features 173 prime birding destinations. Dawn was also instrumental in the Refuge Complex receiving a $1/2 million Oregon Department of Transportation grant to develop public use facilities on the Nestucca Bay refuge.

In addition, Dawn's accomplishments include development of interpretive canoe/kayak trips on Siletz Bay refuge; establishment of a volunteer network along the Oregon coast locating interpreters at refuge and state park overlooks where they interpret seabirds, marine mammals and other natural history to the tens of thousands of visitors; coordination of the Oregon Shorebird Festival and extensive involvement in the Pacific City Birding and Blues Festival; conducting annual seabird training for interns and docents working for Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management; working with Friends Groups at Cape Meares and Haystack Rock; and managing the largest Shorebird Sister Schools Program in the nation.

"Dawn is a talented, enthusiastic and dedicated person", said Roy W. Lowe, Project Leader for the Oregon Coast Refuge Complex. "Since joining our staff in 2001, Dawn has built up a fledgling public use program to one that is now being honoring nationally, and her award is well deserved", said Lowe.

Dawn will be presented the 2007 Legends Award by the America Recreation Coalition at an awards ceremony in Washington DC on June 12, 2007, as part of the Great Outdoors Week celebration.