United States Destinations

U.S. wildlife refuges hosting events this fall

(Special)—Interested in getting closer to nature? A host of activities taking place at American national wildlife refuges can help you do just that.

The National Wildlife Refuge System, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is an extensive system of public lands and waters set aside to conserve fish, wildlife and plants.

The system’s beginning was in 1903 when President Theodore Roosevelt designated Florida's Pelican Island as the first wildlife refuge. Since then it has grown to 550 national wildlife refuges and other designated areas, plus 37 wetland management districts, for a total of more than 150 million acres.

For location of refuges, or further information about the system, got to http://www.fws.gov/refuges/index.html.

Here is a sampling of early fall events at national wildlife refuges:

Hunt butterflies

It’s the annual Monarch Madness at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge in Iowa on Saturday, September 12 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Staff and volunteers will catch, tag and release as many monarch butterflies as possible.

For more information: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/nealsmith or 515-994-3400.

Go multicultural

On Saturday, September 26, the annual Nisqually Watershed Festival takes place at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, Washington.

This multicultural celebration of the history, economy and environment of the Nisqually River Watershed goes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Highlights include tribal drumming and dancing, bagpipers and live animal shows.

Kids can take part in critter parades, make salmon art, step inside a 30-foot mock salmon and see the world from the perspective of a salmon, and peer at marine creatures inside a live touch tank. Other events include guided walks and tours and the famous Nisqually Salmon Bake.

For more information: http://www.fws.gov/nisqually or 360-753-9467.

Flock to a Birding Festival

There will be a multitude of activities for all at the 11th Annual Florida Keys Birding and Wildlife Festival. The festival takes place September 23 to 27 with a number of events occurring at the National Key Deer Refuge.

Take a wildlife photography trip at Crane Point Hammock with featured wildlife photographers Dick Fortune and Sarah Lopez. Then, enjoy a multimedia program on native plants.

Also part of the festival is a guided birding trip of Dry Tortugas National Park and an environmental fair with activities for the family at Curry Hammock State Park.

For a complete list of events, visit: http://www.keysbirdingfest.org.

For more information on the refuge: http://www.fws.gov/nationalkeydeer or 305-872-2239.

Collect seeds

The DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge in Iowa is hosting a prairie seed collection day on Saturday, September 26, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Participate in this major hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance public lands.

For more information: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/desoto or 712-642-2772.

Carve a basswood bird

Artist and master carver Bill Strickler will be presenting a lecture-demonstration at New Mexico’s Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico. The event will take place Saturday, September 26 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Strickler’s detailed wood carvings of many bird species are noted for their attention to detail and realistic settings.

The artist will demonstrate the steps to allow participants to their own carvings, beginning with templates and making a pattern to create a finished work using a high-speed wood-carving tool.

The program is limited to 24 participants. Reservations are required.

For more information: http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/newmex/bosque or 575-835-1828.