October 6, 2011
Contact: Pam Bierce, 916-4146542
Scott Flaherty, 916-978-6156
Pacific Southwest Region Hosting Events in California and Nevada to Celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week
SACRAMENTO - National Wildlife Refuges provide opportunities for people to experience the fun and excitement of the outdoors, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is urging the public to visit a refuge next week in celebration of National Wildlife Refuge Week. The Service’s Pacific Southwest Region will be celebrating National Wildlife Refuge Week from October 9-15, 2011, with a variety of events at refuges throughout the California and Nevada.
“Our refuges have so many unique opportunities for people to connect with nature, “said Marge Kolar, Assistant Regional Director for National Wildlife Refuge System. “In urban areas you can go for a walk at lunch and relax, or you can travel off the beaten path to places like Ash Meadows NWR in southern Nevada, which showcases crystal blue springs in the middle of the desert.”
The Pacific Southwest Region manages 46 National Wildlife Refuges and 3 Wildlife Management Areas covering 2.3 million acres in California, Nevada and the Klamath Basin of Oregon. These refuges are islands of natural beauty, some close to urban areas, which offer the public places to educate the mind and enjoy outdoor, wildlife dependent recreation; including wildlife observation, fishing, hunting, birding and photography.
From a very special dedication of the “Kaye Johnson Nature Trail” on the Modoc National Wildlife Refuge, to “Shark Day” at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, opportunities abound to get outdoors and enjoy what the refuges have to offer!
Some of the Pacific Southwest Region’s celebrations include:
In California:
- Grand Opening of the Ma-le’l Dunes Unit at Humboldt Bay NWRC
From 1 p.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, October 15, 2011. Phone: (707) 733-5406
- Shark Day at Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR
From noon-3 p.m., Saturday, October 8, 2011. Phone: (408) 262-5513
- Amazing Refuge Race at Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR
Begins at 2 p.m., Saturday, October 15, 2011. Registration required, call (510)792-0222 - Dedication of the Kaye Johnson Nature Trail/Open House at Modoc NWR
From 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday, October 15, 2011. Phone: (530) 233-3572
- Refuge Week Festivities! at San Diego Bay NWR-Sweetwater Marsh Unit/Chula Vista Nature Center
From 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, October 15, 2011. Phone: (619) 476-9150
- Return of the Salmon Festival at Coleman NFH/Sacramento NWR
From 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, October 15, 2011. Phone: (530) 365-8622
In Nevada:
- Let’s Explore Wild Birds! at Ash Meadows NWR
From 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, October 8, 2011. Phone: (775) 372-5435
- Celebrating 75 Years at Desert NWR
From 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, October 15, 2011. Phone: (702) 879-6110
Information about these refuges and others in the Pacific Southwest Region is available at: http://www.fws.gov/cno/refuges. More information about National Wildlife Refuge Week events or future refuge events can be found at: http://www.fws.gov/refuges/SpecialEvents/FWS_SpecialEvents_DisplayGeoRegion.cfm
Since Theodore Roosevelt established the first 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 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 hour’s drive of most major cities.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov. Connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/usfws, follow our tweets at www.twitter.com/usfwshq, watch our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwshq
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