National Wildlife Refuge Week - October 12-18, 2003
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A fall riverboat tour on the Mississippi River approximately 5 miles from the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge.
Photo Credit: Scott Flaherty, USFWS |
A Sampling of National Wildlife Refuge Week Events
Stepping Back in Time . . . Okefenokee Refuge (GA) expects nearly 1,000 people at its annual Okefenokee Festival October 11 to celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week. Families will be able to step back in time to see life in a "swamp culture," visiting Chesser Island Homestead, built in 1927, and learning how the people of Southeast Georgia lived at the time the Refuge System was established. Musicians, crafts and the skills of daily living – such as making soap, brooms, butter, and quilts, cooking on a wood-burning stove – will be explored. Performances will include bluegrass music, story telling, and four-note, or sacred harp, singing. Okefenokee Adventures, located on the refuge's East entrance south of Folkston, GA, will have a special sunset boat tour available.
Wildlife Festival . . . Visitors to Sherburne Refuge
(MN) can pick from nearly two dozen events, including an early
morning Crane Watch, as Refuge Week is celebrated October 11 with
a Wildlife Festival. Events include refuge history bus tours to
teach about lifestyles in the area in 1903, the year the Refuge
System was established. Visitors can see the equipment used for
prescribed fires on the refuge, nature crafts, and a bonfire at
the Old School House, take a horse-drawn hay ride or learn about
the challenges of archery hunting, presented by the Coon Rapids
Archery Club. Live birds of prey will be shown and discussed during
a 2:30 p.m. Raptors of the Midwest presentation by the Wildlife
Science Center.
Despite Hurricane Isabel . . . The 7th Annual Wings Over Water Festival, organized by Alligator River Refuge (NC), will be held October 14-19 in Eastern North Carolina despite the damage inflicted on the area in mid-September by Hurricane Isabel. The popular festival, which features more than 103 field trips and draws hundreds of people, brings together a coalition of public and private interests, including the Coastal Wildlife Refuge Society, the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce, the National Park Service, and scores of volunteers.
Taking Events to the People . . . Two shopping centers in North Dakota – Gateway Mall in Bismarck on October 18 and West Acres Mall in Fargo on October 11 – will be sites for events planned by Long Lake, Audubon and Tewaukon refuges to introduce the concept of wildlife refuges to a wider audience. Trivia contests, programs on raptors, special games for youngsters and an information booth are among the selections that shoppers will encounter.
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| A variety of Theodore Roosevelt impersonators joined in the fun at the 2002 Great Delta Bear Affair in October 2002. |
A Great Bear of an Idea . . . Thousands of people are expected at the Great Delta Bear Affair in Rolling Fork, MS, October 17-18 to commemorate President Theodore Roosevelt's famous refusal to shoot a black bear during a 1902 hunt, creation of the teddy bear toy, and establishment of the Refuge System 100 years ago. A nationally-known Theodore Roosevelt re-enactor will perform his one-man tribute. Other offerings include black bear seminars, a trail and observation tower dedication on nearby Yazoo Refuge and tours of the Yazoo Refuge and the Delta National Forest, bird walks, archeological tours of Indian mounds in the area, outstanding music by Mississippi songwriters, book signings by Mississippi authors, arts and crafts, storytellers, chainsaw carving demonstrations, children's educational activities, amusement rides, a horse trail ride, and an impressive fireworks display. Proceeds from the event will go to the Mississippi Black Bear Restoration Task Force.
Variety Featured at Darling Refuge . . . Several
days of activities, including an awards ceremony October 13 for
the annual Environmental Editorial Cartoon Contest, judged by
the editorial board of the Ft. Myers News Press, will draw hundreds
of people to the J.N. "Ding" Darling Refuge (FL) during Ding Darling
Days and National Wildlife Refuge Week October 13-18. Stuart B.
McIver, author of Death in the Everglades, will talk about his
new book chronicling the life and murder of Guy Bradley, America's
first Martyr to Environmentalism. Kaiulani Lee will present "A
Sense of Wonder" a play about the life of environmentalist Rachel
Carson, at BIG ARTS on Sanibel Island October 16. Among the speakers
featured during the week are Duck Stamp Artist Ron Louque, photographer
Karen Hollingsworth and Author Eric Dolen. Busch Wildlife Sanctuary
will present live shows, while a historical pontoon boat tour,
kayaking tours, bicycle tours and bird watching trips to local
hot spots are also planned.
Visitor Center to Open . . . Hundreds of people are expected at the First Annual White River Wildlife Festival October 11, when the new $2 million White River Refuge (AR) Office and Visitor Center will be dedicated during National Wildlife Refuge Week. White River Refuge offers one of the largest remaining bottomland hardwood forests in the Mississippi River Valley. With more than 160,000 acres, including 90 protected river miles and 300 lakes, it is home to the largest concentration of wintering mallard ducks in the Mississippi Flyway and is a Wetland of International Importance. Long known for its hunting and fishing lands, the refuge also offers bird watching, canoeing and kayaking, hiking, and environmental education.
Historic Ranch Opens Again . . . Malheur Refuge (OR) will celebrate the re-opening of Sodhouse Ranch with a dedication ceremony October 18. The historic ranch, closed for 13 years, highlights the agricultural history of the region. The new Sodhouse Ranch Centennial Interpretive Trail will be dedicated along with the long barn, which has been under restoration for several years. The Harney County Cattlewomen's Association will host a barbeque as a fundraising event for its scholarship fund.
From Revolution to Refuge . . . Celebrate the Refuge System's Centennial on the Chesapeake Bay October 25, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., when Eastern Neck Refuge (MD) presents "From Revolution to Refuge," a full day of exhibits about Eastern Neck Island's history. The day will include a morning performance by American Historical Theatre's Benjamin Franklin re-enactor, who will "recall" his famous October 26, 1776, voyage with Captain Lambert Wickes, who was born on Eastern Neck Island. Visitors can hail the memory of Theodore Roosevelt on the 145th anniversary of his birth (October 27, 1858) or attend Refuge U, an afternoon of mini-courses in forestry, ornithology, entomology, and natural science subjects or join guided bird and botany walks. Music and chicken BBQ will be served up at noon.
Click here for a list of Refuge Week events in the Southeast.
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