National Wildlife Refuge Week
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At Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia, two wading birds show off their mating plumage. National Wildlife Refuge Week, October 14-20, celebrates the sights and sounds of the National Wildlife Refuge System, a network of public lands set aside to protect wildlife. |
| Credit: Bonita Caldwell/USFWS |
Many refuges will host public events in honor of National Wildlife Refuge Week, October 14-20. The nation’s 556 national wildlife refuges protect wildlife habitat while cleaning our air, filtering our water and pollinating our crops. They also provide world-class hunting and fishing and hiking. Check the special events calendar for Refuge Week events. Among the events planned:
Saturday, October 13:
- Audubon National Wildlife Refuge, ND, 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Halloween Adventure: The Wild Night Life of the Refuge. Enjoy an afternoon and evening of family fun and learning about animals that are active at night, including bats, owls and coyotes. Pre-registration is required: 701/442-5474 ext. 117
- Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, TX, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Join the refuge’s Refuge Week celebration at Doeskin Ranch. Butterfly tagging and butterfly walks are among planned activities.
- Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge, IL, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Take a guided canoe tour along the Old Cache Channel. Meet: Cache Levee Access.
For reservations, call (618) 634-2231, beginning September 13.
- Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, TX, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
See live birds of prey. Enjoy a day of family events including guided hikes, fishing and hands-on nature program for youth.
- Horicon National Wildlife Refuge, WI, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Celebrate with a morning 5k Run/Walk, followed by activities throughout the day.
- Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, CO, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Meet your “wild” neighbors at this free event celebrating National Wildlife Refuge week. Enjoy a variety of wildlife activities and booths, arts and crafts, and nature films for all ages. Preview the new 9-mile Wildlife Drive, a self-guided auto tour route.
- Southeast Louisiana Refuges, LA, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wild Things in Lacombe. This large annual event at the Bayou Lacombe Centre celebrates all things wild.
Sunday, October 14:
Scores of refuges will once again host The Big Sit!, an annual event in which teams count and report bird species seen or heard from a 17-foot-diameter circle. Participating refuges include:
Tubby Cove Observation Platform, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Endicott Observation deck, sunrise to sunset
Dawn until dusk
Champion Lake Pier, sunrise to sunset
Saturday, October 20:
- Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, HI, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Attend an open house at the refuge on the Big Island of Hawai’i. Take a guided bird hike in ancient rainforest habitat. View forest restoration planting sites. Take a tour of the greenhouse where native koa, ohia, and rare lobeliads and mints are being propagated.
