National Wildlife Refuge Week

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US Fish and Wildlife Service and National Wildlife Refuge System Logos Celebrating a Century of Conservation

NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE WEEK

OCTOBER 12-18, 2003

Refuge Name	Event	Date	Contact	Description
SEPTEMBER
Bayou Cocodrie NWR, Louisiana	Wildlife Heritage Festival Concordia Community Center Hwy 15 South Ferriday, LA	September 13, 9:00am- 4:00pm	Mike Esters, Project Leader, Bayou Cocodrie NWR, (318) 336-7119	The Bayou Cocodrie Refuge Association, in partnership with the Bayou Cocodrie NWR, will host a festival highlighting the refuge and recreational opportunities, the Instructor Corps Program, and the unique cultural influence that wild places and wild things have had on the Concordia Parish, LA, area. The event will be held from at the of Ferriday. Mayors of Ferriday, Vidalia, and Monterrey, La State Representative Bryant Hammett, and Congressman Rodney Alexander have been invited.
Reelfoot NWR, Tennessee	National Public Lands Day Volunteer Clean-Up	September 20 9:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.	Christine Donald (731)538-2481	Cleanups on 1 3/4 mile scenic auto-tour route (Grassy Island) and one mile of road along- side the visitor center. Weeding in Backyard habitat plots is also needed.
Pelican Island NWR, Florida	Florida Coastal Cleanup/ National Public Lands Day	Sept 20, 2003	Joanna Taylor, 772/562-3909	Clean up of refuge spoil islands, salt marsh impoundments and public access road.
St. Marks NWR, Florida	Coastal Awareness Day - Public Lands Day event	September 20,	David Moody, Volunteer Coordinator, 850/925-6121	18th annual coastal cleanup and education day for up to 500 volunteer participants. Free t-shirts to volunteers. Schools, 4-H, Scout groups, families, service clubs all help out.
Sabine NWR, South Carolina	National Public Lands Day Event	September 20	Diane Borden-Billiot	The public, including Boy & Girl Scouts of America, and local high school and college biology groups, are invited to assist refuge staff with tallow tree clean up at the Wetland Walkway Nature Trail. The clean up is in preparation for planting native vegetation later this fall.
Tensas River NWR, Louisiana	National Hunting and Fishing Day	September 27, 8:00am-2:30pm	Ava Kahn	More than 1500 adults and children are expected. Main attractions include: live music; various wildlife exhibits; flintknapping, blacksmith, civil war, cannon net and other demonstrations; owl, duck, and turkey calling contests; bait casting contests with the Nachitoches National Fish Hatchery; skeet, bbgun, and muzzleloader shooting contest; registration and drawing for special refuge lottery youth hunts; auctions and door prizes; a blood drive; food/refreshments; and numerous exhibitors from federal, state, parish, local, and not for profit agencies.
OCTOBER
Merritt Island NWR, Florida	40^th Anniversary and National Wildlife Refuge Week Celebration	October 4, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.	Nancy Corona, 321-861-0668	The Audubon Birds of Prey Center with live hawks and eagles; see songbirds upclose while watching bird bander Richard Poole demonstrate mist netting and bird banding techniques, music performed by the Shadetree Pickers; guided bird watching and wildlife tours; visit with the manatees, and have the kids participate in the children's wildlife activities.
Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Florida	National Wildlife Refuge Open House and Centennial Celebration	October 4, 10am - 4pm	Shawn Gillette or Sara Palmisano (352) 563-2088	Celebrate the National Wildlife Refuge System at the Chassahowitzka NWR Complex's Open House event. Live music, Live animal displays, free refuge boat tours, wildlife talks and a sunrise birding trip (birding tour for a fee)
Savannah Coastal Refuges and Okefenokee NWR, Georgia	Georgia’s Colonial Coast Birding and Nature Festival http://www.shrike.net/ccbf/	October 10-12	Pat Metz, (912) 652-4415	Headquartered at Jekyll Island, with seminars and field trips to various sites along the Georgia Coast. Also a celebration of the 100^th Birthday of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Bon Secour NWR. Alabama	Centennial Celebration	October 10 (tentative)	Allyne Askins,	Ceremony celebrating volunteerism and the contributions of supporters to establish Bon Secour NWR.
White River NWR, Arkansas	Visitor Center & Office Dedication and Centennial Celebration	October 11	Ray Paterra	Ribbon cutting ceremony and time capsule burial to mark the new Visitor Center & Office Complex. Live animals, guided tours, free boat tours of the White River, wildlife seminars, food, kids activities.
Florida Panther NWR, Florida	National Wildlife Refuge Week Open House	October 11	Ben Nottingham, Deputy Project Leader	Florida Panther NWR will hold an open house on October 11. Buggy tours will provide the public with a chance to see a variety of habitats and wildlife. Orchid, birding, and plant tours will also be scheduled. Reservations will be needed for all events.
Florida Panther NWR, Florida	NWR Week Exhibits	October 12	Ben Nottingham, Deputy Project Leader	Florida Panther NWR, the Friends of the Florida Panther Refuge, and J.N. "Ding" Darling NWR will cosponsor exhibits in the Coastland Mall (Naples, FL). These exhibits will highlight the refuges, volunteer opportunities, and National Wildlife Refuge Week.
Okefenokee NWR, Georgia	Okefenokee Festival/National Wildlife Refuge System Week	October 11	Sallie Gentry, (912) 496-7836	Visit the Chesser Island Homestead and see how the people of Southeast Georgia lived at the time the refuge system was being established. Learn how settlers made soap, brooms, butter, quilts, baskets, and other everyday items. Examine how settlers washed clothes, smoked meat, made pickets, and survived in and around the swamp. Sample boiled peanuts, soup, biscuits, and other items cooked on a wood-burning stove. Listen to the sounds of bluegrass music, stories, and four-note singing. Enjoy the games your grandparents played - musical chairs, wheel barrow races and more!
A.R.M. Loxahatchee NWR, Florida	SWAMP STROLL	October 12 1:00pm Visitor Center	Lois Chapman,	Enjoy the beauty of a cypress swamp from a half-mile long boardwalk trail. Learn about “swamp tea,” floating plants, and thigmotrophism as a naturalist reveals the swamp’s secrets to visitors.
A.R.M. Loxahatchee NWR, Florida	PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP	October 12 2:00pm Visitor Center	Lois Chapman,	Photographer John J. Lopinot provides valuable instruction on how to take award-winning nature photographs. Participants are encouraged to bring five slides or prints for critique. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
Black Bayou Lake NWR, Louisiana	National Wildlfie Refuge Week	October 13-17, 2003	Gay Brantley (318) 387-1114	Special Interpretive programs and activities daily. Check with refuge for a full schedule.
Reelfoot NWR, Tennessee	National Wildlife Refuge Week	October 12-18, 2003 All activities begin at 8:00 a.m. except kids day which starts at 9:00 a.m.	Christine Donald (731) 538-2481	Activities include: 14^th- Bird Walk(s) 15^th- Refuge Tour(s) * 16^th-Backyard Habitat Workshop(s)* 17^th- Kids Day. *Reservations are required.
J.N. "Ding" Darling NWR, Florida	Ding Darling Days and National Wildlife Refuge Week	October 13-18	Kevin Godsea, 239/472 1100	Oct. 13 - Kick off with a children's concert. Before Singer and 5th grade teacher, JP Taylor, perform. Editorial Cartoonist Doug MacGregor presents awards for the annual Environmental Editorial Cartoon Contest, judged by the Editorial Board of the Ft. Myers News Press. Oct 14^th - Photography workshop with John Carney. 1 hour presentation and a 3 hour photo safari through the refuge. Oct 15^th- Stuart B. McIver, author of Death in the Everglades speaks on his new book chronicling the life and murder of Guy Bradley, America's first Martyr to Environmentalism. Stuart will autograph books after his presentation. Oct 16^th - Kaiulani Lee presents "A Sense of Wonder" a play about the life of environmentalist Rachel Carson. BIG ARTS on Sanibel Island at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $12.00 and can be purchased at the Ding Darling Education Center Oct 18^th- Full day of family fun. Speakers include Duck Stamp Artist Ron Louque, photographer Karen Hollingsworth and Author Eric Dolen. Live wildlife shows by the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary and the Florida Bat Center will also be on hand. Free Tram tours and many local conservation groups will exhibit. Many other tours and field trips are planned including a Historical Pontoon boat tour, kayaking tours, bicycle tours and birdwatching trips to local hot spots.
Alligator River NWR, North Carolina	7^th Annual Wings Over Water Festival http://www.northeast-nc.com/wings/	October 14-19; Keynote- October 18	Bonnie Strawser, 252/473-1131	Wildlife and art exhibit, wide variety of field trips (including birding, paddling, and other outdoor recreational activities), and environmental education. Keynote Saturday, October 18 - Kaiulani Lee presents “A Sense of Wonder.”
Southeast Louisiana	Wild Things Festival	October 18	Byron Fortier,	Annual event with more than 20 exhibitors, refuge tours, kids activities, live music, and wildlife demonstrations.
A.R.M. Loxahatchee NWR, Florida	EARLY BIRD SPECIAL CANOEING THE EVERGLADES “ALL ABOUT NATURE” WALK	October 18 7:30am, Marsh Trail 8-10:00am Headquarters Boat Ramp 10:00am Marsh Trail	Lois Chapman,	This one-mile walk is for the birds and the early risers. Bring binocular, field guide, and insect repellent. Take a journey through the Everglades with an interpreter on our canoe trail. Bring canoe, PFD, water, sun/rain protection, and insect repellent. Some canoeing experience is recommended. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED Join a naturalist for a discovery tour of the plants and critters who call the refuge home
Yazoo NWR, Mississippi	2^nd Annual Great Delta Bear Affair Rolling Fork, MS	October 18, 2003	Connie Dickard	The Fish & Wildlife Service in partnership with MS Wildlife Federation, City of Rolling Fork, U.S. Forest Service, and numerous other partners will celebrate the 100^th anniversary of the refuge system and black bear conservation.
Santee NWR, Louisiana	Victory at Fort Watson	October 18-19	Kay McCutcheon (803) 478-2217	Re-enactment of Revolutionary War skirmish between Francis Marion's troops and the British to take Fort Watson (on the refuge). Features re-enactment, troop camps, and living history demonstrations along with wildlife related exhibits, tours and demonstrations
Cat Island NWR, Louisiana	Friends Field Day	October 18, 2003	Virginia Rettig, Manager	Sponsored by the Friends of Cat Island NWR. Guided tours to the National Champion baldcypress tree and of hiking trails on the refuge will be given.
Black Bayou Lake NWR, Louisiana	Black Bayou Lake NWR Fall Festival	October 18	Gay Brantley (318) 387-1114	Open House at the Visitor Center. Special exhibits, hands-on children's activities, demonstrations of wildlife management techniques, habitat investigations, guided nature walks, guided refuge tours, canoe tours on lake, free food, give-aways. VIPs invited include state legislators and local officials.
St. Marks NWR, Florida	Monarch Butterfly Festival - National Wildlife Refuge Week event	October 18, 2003	David Moody, Volunteer Coordinator, 850/925-6121	Annual festival to promote awareness of habitat required by migratory animals, particularly the fascinating monarch butterfly. Tagging research program highlighted. Educational exhibits and tours by kayak, bicycle, car. Lunch sponsored by the St. Marks Volunteer Fire Dept.
Cedar Keys NWR, Florida	National Wildlife Refuge Week Lighthouse Openhouse	October 18 & 19, 2003 Saturday and Sunday, 9 am - 4 pm	Pam Darty, (352) 493-7009	The refuge and partners (University of Florida Marine Lab, Fla Lighthouse Assoc., Friends group) will host an Openhouse at the historic Seahorse Key Lighthouse. Exhibits, giveaways, touch tanks, tours of the lighthouse and access to the marine lab throughout the day. Visitors must take concessionaires boat rides (about $12.) out to the island or operate their own vessel as there is no bridge to Seahorse Key. The Cedar Key Seafood Festival is taking place simultaneously.
Hobe Sound NWR, Florida	National Wildlife Refuge Week	October 18, 9:00am-1:00pm	Margo Stahl, (772) 546-6141	Alligator/Crocodile Program
Pelican Island NWR, Florida	Volunteer Appreciation Day	October 18, 2003 Saturda	Joanna Taylor, 772/562-3909	Free boat tours, driving tours of the refuge, volunteer social and luncheon, and awards ceremony. Held in conjunction with National Wildlife Refuge Week.
Hobe Sound NWR, Florida	Creepy Creature Feature	October 24:, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.	Margo Stahl, (772) 546-6141
Reelfoot NWR, Tennessee	Backyard Habitat Workshop	October 31, 2003 9:00 am- 2:00 pm	Christine Donald (731) 538-2481	One day workshop for individuals interesting in developing their backyards to attract wildlife
NOVEMBER
Noxubee NWR, Mississippi	Centennial Celebration and Visitor Center Dedication	TBD	Andrea Dunston	TBD
Reelfoot NWR, Tennessee	Recycles Day	November 15 8-10 a.m.	Christine Donald (731) 538-2481	Trash cleanup on 1 3/4 scenic auto tour route (Grassy Island) and 1 mile alongside the visitor center road.
St. Marks NWR, Florida	Wildlife and Bird tours	November 22, Sat. December 13, Sat. January 4, 2004, Sun. and Feburary 7, 2004, Sat.	David Moody, Volunteer Coordinator, 850/925-6121	Guided auto tours around refuge impoundments to increase public awareness of migratory waterfowl, birds of prey, shorebirds and resident wildlife.
DECEMBER
Hobe Sound NWR, Florida	Hobe Sound Christmas Parade	December 6	Margo Stahl, (772) 546-6141	Sea Turtle Theme
St. Marks NWR, Florida	Wildlife and Bird tours	December 13, 2003 Sat.	David Moody, Volunteer Coordinator, 850/925-6121	guided auto tours around refuge impoundments to increase public awareness of migratory waterfowl, birds of prey, shorebirds and resident wildlife.
St. Marks NWR, Florida	Homesteader's Holiday	December 13, 2003 Sat.	David Moody, Volunteer Coordinator, 850/925-6121	old-fashioned holiday crafts and activities such as spinning and turpentining
Reelfoot NWR, Tennessee	Eagle Tours	Weekends, month of December 8:00 am, 10:30 am, and 1:30 pm	Christine Donald (731) 538-2481	2-3 hour eagles tours on Grassy Island and Long Point. Limit 5 in a group. Reservations required.
Okefenokee NWR, Georgia	Chesser Island Christmas	December 12	Sallie Gentry, (912)496-7836	Celebrate the winter season at the Chesser Island Homestead with hot cocoa, apple cider, coffee, home-made cookies, and a hay ride. Warm by the bonfire while listening and joining in caroling. See homemade decorations throughout the house