Several of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services National Wildlife Refuges in the Southeast Region are inviting volunteers to lend a hand this Saturday, September 20, during the tenth annual National Public Lands Day. In addition, refuges that charge entrance fees will be waiving them in observance and celebration of this special event.
"National Public Lands Day is a hands-on effort to improve, restore, and clean-up wildlife habitat and state, local, and federal public lands," said Sam D. Hamilton, the Services Southeast Regional Director. "On national wildlife refuges, volunteers will be participating in coastal clean-ups in Florida, a homestead restoration in Georgia, and trail maintenance in South Carolina, and Louisiana."
On Pelican National Wildlife Refuge in Sebastian, Florida, volunteers will be cleaning up the refuges spoil islands, salt marsh salt marsh
Salt marshes are found in tidal areas near the coast, where freshwater mixes with saltwater.
Learn more about salt marsh impoundments, and public access road. For information, please contact Joanna Taylor at 772/562-3909, ext. 258.
St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge in St. Marks, Florida is hosting a refuge clean-up from 9 a.m. until noon. Free t-shirts and lunch for volunteers. Interactive, educational exhibits will take place in the afternoon. Participants can learn about some of the marine life in the Gulf of Mexico, including manatees, shorebirds, and sea turtles. Please contact David Moody at 850-925-6121.
The historic Chesser Homestead on Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Folkston, Georgia, needs restoration work. Tools and a free lunch will be provided to volunteers. Tasks are from 8 a.m. to noon. Contact: Sallie Gentry at 912/496-7836.
On Sabine National Wildlife Refuge in Hackberry, Louisiana, volunteers will be assisting the refuge staff with tallow tree clean-up at the Wetland Walkway Nature Trail. Native vegetation will be planted along the trail later this fall. Contact Diane Borden-Billiot at 337-762-3780.
Santee National Wildlife Refuge in Summerton, South Carolina is hosting a volunteer day and celebration with maintenance activities on the refuge section of the Palmetto Trail from 9 a.m. until noon. A cook-out and an annual volunteer recognition event at the Visitor Center begin at noon. Contact: Kay McCutcheon at 803-478-2217.
A clean-up of the grassy section of the scenic auto-tour route on Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge in Union City, Tennessee is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact: Christine Donald at 731/538-2481.
In celebration of National Public Lands Day, all southeastern refuges that currently charge an entrance fee will waive it for Saturday, September 20. There will be no charge to visit the following refuges: Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge in Boynton Beach, Florida; St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge in St. Marks, Florida; Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge in Hobe Sound, Florida; J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in Sanibel, Florida; Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge in Hollandale, Mississippi; Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Folkston, Georgia; and Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge in Dardanelle, Arkansas.
