Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge Celebrates Refuge Week with Events for Everyone
Celebrate America's great outdoors with a visit to a 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 during National Wildlife Refuge Week, October 9-15. You will see for yourself that refuges conserve some of our nation's most cherished natural treasures: wildlife and wild places.
"National wildlife refuges play a critical role in preserving America's rich wildlife legacy," says U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe. "They also have an important role in human communities. By providing healthy habitats for wildlife, refuges improve water quality, relieve flooding, improve soil quality and help trap greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change climate change
Climate change includes both global warming driven by human-induced emissions of greenhouse gases and the resulting large-scale shifts in weather patterns. Though there have been previous periods of climatic change, since the mid-20th century humans have had an unprecedented impact on Earth's climate system and caused change on a global scale.
Learn more about climate change . And in the urban, fast-paced world in which many of us live, refuges offer places that can soothe the body and soul."
Since Theodore Roosevelt established the first national wildlife refuge in 1903, the National Wildlife Refuge System has become the world's premier habitat conservation system, encompassing 150 million acres in 553 refuges and 38 wetland management districts. Every state has at least one national wildlife refuge, and there's a national wildlife refuge within an hours drive of most major cities.
National wildlife refuges also offer many forms of recreation, from fishing, hunting and wildlife observation to photography, interpretation and environmental education. Kauai National Wildlife Refuge Complex Highlighted events:
Sunday, October 9 - CRATER HILL / MOKOLEA POINT HIKE
National Wildlife Refuge Week will kick off with local historian Gary Smith from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for a vigorous six mile hike to a spectacular vantage point on the refuge, accessible only to guided visitors. This free hike will reveal a rich history of the refuge and bright past of Kilauea Town. Space is limited. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 635-6367.
Monday, October 10 - KILAUEA POINT NWR CLOSED
In observance of Discoverer's Day federal holiday.
Tuesday, October 11 - MOVIE NIGHT AT THE KILAUEA THEATER
Join us for a fun-filled evening at the Kilauea Theater. This year, National Wildlife Refuge Week focuses on the importance of wildlife and wild places. "Green Fire, Aldo Leopold and A Land Ethic for our Time" is the first full-length, high-definition documentary film ever made about legendary environmentalist Aldo Leopold. Green Fire highlights Leopold's extraordinary career, tracing how he shaped and influenced the modern environmental movement. Leopold remains relevant today, inspiring projects all over the country that connect people and land. "This is an outstanding film that everyone should see - it is the story of conservation that illuminates a sense of place across time, landscape, and culture" said Kaua'i Refuge Project Leader, Shannon Smith. The film will show at 7:00 p.m. Reservations are not required, however seating is limited. Thank you to Calvary Chapel, North Shore for supporting this event.
Wednesday, October 12 - CRATER HILL HIKE
Join a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Ranger for a moderately strenuous hike to a remote portion of the refuge where wildlife and breathtaking coastal views abound. This free hike will start at 9:00 a.m. and lasts approximately 3 hours. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 635-6367.
Thursday, October 13 - HANALEI NWR KAYAK PADDLE
Kayak the scenic Hanalei River with Refuge Biologist Kim Uyehara. Explore the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge and learn about Hawaii's endangered water birds. This free event is kindly sponsored by Kayak Kauai and will last from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Space is limited and reservations are required. Call 635-6367.
Friday, October 14 - "HAWAII'S SEABIRDS AND CLIMATE CHANGE" HIKE
Did you know that an estimated 15 million seabirds are either flying over Hawaiian waters or breeding on Hawaiian islands at any one time? Join U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Seabird Biologist Beth Flint for an informative hike up Crater Hill to learn more about these truly amazing avian wonders. This free hike starts at 9:00 a.m. and lasts approximately 3 hours. Reservations are required. Please call 635-6367.
Saturday, October 15 - KILAUEA POINT FREE DAY
All are invited to enjoy the sights and sounds of Kilauea Point, at no charge. Visitors can stroll through the history of the National Wildlife Refuge System while enjoying the sounds of surf and seabirds. Take in coastal views while looking for spinner dolphins, sea turtles, and Hawaiian monk seals. The refuge is open from 10:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. All entrance fees will be waived.
Saturday, October 15 - KEIKI FUN AT KILAUEA POINT NWR
Keiki are invited to come out and visit activity booths and meet the Blue Goose, the unofficial mascot of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Saturday, October 15 - CRATER HILL / MOKOLEA POINT HIKE
Join local historian Gary Smith from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for a vigorous six mile hike to a spectacular vantage point on the refuge, accessible only to guided visitors. This free hike will reveal a rich history of the refuge and bright past of Kilauea Town. Space is limited. Reservations are required. Please call 635-6367.
