National Wildlife Refuge Week features scores of festivals and special events that help connect people with nature at the countrys 545 National Wildlife Refuges. The 11th consecutive National Wildlife Refuge Week will be celebrated this year October 8-14 with events in Texas.
Established in 1903 when President Theodore Roosevelt designated the three-acre Pelican in Florida as the nations first wildlife refuge, the National Wildlife Refuge System, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, today encompasses 545 National Wildlife Refuges and more than 3,000 waterfowl production areas across more than 97 million acres.
More than 40 million people each year visit National Wildlife Refuges for close-to-home wildlife-dependent recreation that is second to none.
"National Wildlife Refuges are Americas promise to its citizens that there will always be places where wildlife and wildlife habitats can thrive," said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director H. Dale Hall. "Just as important, the Refuge System offers some of the finest outdoor recreation in the country, from fishing and hunting, to nature photography and nature interpretation.
"One of our most pressing challenges in society today is to teach our children - kids growing up in a digital age - that there is a world of nature beyond the computer and television screen," Hall continued. "National Wildlife Refuges are some of the greatest places to learn the lessons of nature, and National Wildlife Refuge Week is the perfect time to start."
With national wildlife refuges in every state, people in most major metropolitan areas can find unsurpassed opportunities to hunt, fish, photograph and see wildlife within an easy drive of their homes during Refuge Week and throughout the year.
"Our National Wildlife Refuges are among our nations most treasured places," said National Wildlife Refuge System Chief Geoffrey L. Haskett. "There is at least one national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
Learn more about national wildlife refuge in every state. In many communities, there is a wildlife refuge less than an hours drive from your front door. National Wildlife Refuge Week is a great time for families to find a national wildlife refuge, and the fun they can have together."
Some of the events that will be featured in Texas during National Wildlife Refuge Week are listed below for anyone who wants to be a part of this celebration.
- Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge
Boy Scouts will be able to fulfill some of the requirements for an Insect Merit Badge during guided walks on October 14-15. Visitors will learn about nature photography, native prairie grasses and useful native plants as well as birds, butterflies, dragonflies, damselflies and other creatures. The refuge is located at 24518 FM 1431 Marble Falls. For more information call Rob Iski at 512-339-9432 or go to:
http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/texas/balcones/events.htm
- Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge
A variety of nature walks and demonstrations will be offered at Doeskin Ranch. Look for migrating hawks and monarch butterflies. Directions and other refuge information are provided above.
- Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
Interpretive van tours, guided trail walks, and bird identification at the observation tower will be offered on Saturday October 14th from 10AM until 3PM. There will also be a program entitled "Alligator, Denizen or Refuge Wetlands." The Aransas National Wildlife Refuge Complex is located seven miles south Austwell on FM 2040. For more information call Charles Holbrook at 361-286-3559 or go to: www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/texas/aransas/index.html/
- Trinity National Wildlife Refuge
The eighth annual Trinity River Butterfly Count will be held on Saturday, October 14 in northern Liberty County. Several areas will be counted including Trinity National Wildlife Refuge, Tarkington Prairie and the Gaylor Lake area. Anyone who wishes to be a part of this event should meet at 8 a.m. at the Exxon Gas station located on Hwy 105, two miles southeast of Cleveland. Bring a sack lunch, rubber knee boots and other appropriate clothing. Butterfly enthusiasts of all levels are welcome. For more information, please contact Stuart Marcus at 936-336-9786 or go to http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/texas/trinityriver/index.html
For a more complete listing of Refuge Week events across the country, go to
http://www.fws.gov/refuges/SpecialEvents/FWS_SpecialEvents_Search.cfm
