Free Public Programs in August at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
Join Us for Free, Fun, Programs!
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
August, 2016
|
REGISTRATION & CAPACITY:
All refuge programs are FREE, but space may be limited. Preregistration is required for all programs, unless otherwise indicated. Please call (978) 465-5753. Please Note: If a program requires preregistration, your registration is not confirmed unless and until you receive a phone call or voice mail message from a member of the refuge staff. Programs conducted in the auditorium are limited to 85 attendees. Seats are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Admission of additional attendees will stop when capacity has been reached. Please note that outdoor programs may be cancelled if there is inclement weather and/or insufficient registration. Visit us on the web for more information: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/parker_river/ or call Refuge Headquarters. The refuge visitor center is located at 6 Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport, MA. |
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge - Behind the Scenes Tour!
Held on the following days: Saturday, August 6nd at 9:30 am; Sunday, August 7th at 1:00 pm; Saturday, August 13th at 9:30 am; Sunday, August 14th at 1:00 pm; Monday, August 15th at 9:30 am; Saturday, August 20th at 9:30 am; Sunday, August 21st at 1:00 pm; Friday, August 26th at 9:30 am; Saturday, August 27th at 9:30 am; and Sunday, August 28th at 1:00 pm
Join a refuge ranger for a behind the scenes tour of Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. Tour will be conducted via refuge van, with several brief ?drive by? stops along the way. The tour will present an ?up close and personal? look at the refuge through the multiple lenses of the cultural history of Plum Island and the Great Marsh, native wildlife and their habitats, and the role of refuge management in the conservation of these precious natural resources. Participants may be driven along areas on the refuge otherwise closed to the public. This guided two hour program is most appropriate for older teens and adults. Binoculars and/or a camera are recommended, but not required. Meet the ranger in the lobby of the refuge visitor center 15 minutes prior to the program start time. Each session is limited to 14 participants; no more than 4 individuals per sign-up. Again, this is a vehicle-based tour, with limited stops on the refuge. Advance registration is required for this program, as enrollment is limited. Be advised that individual tours may be subject to cancellation. *Please note: Those who call and leave messages after hours, your registration is not confirmed until you receive a confirmation call from a refuge staff member. Please call (978) 465-5753 to register for this program.
Navigating Nature By Satellite! ? A Very Special Refuge Event
Saturday, August 6th from 11:00 am to 3:00pm at the refuge visitor center
Stop by the refuge visitor center on this particular Saturday to learn how a GPS (geographic positioning system) unit can be used to find your way in the outdoors. While here, you?ll also have an opportunity to learn about an extremely popular, GPS-based activity called geocaching, which is sort of a high-tech form of treasure hunting. After learning the basics of GPS navigation, try out your newfound skills on the refuge?s GeoQuest route (and learn about this national wildlife refuge in the process!). Lots of other cool things will be happening at the visitor center that day, as well. If you happen to have a handheld GPS unit of your own, please bring it with you to the event. (Also keep in mind that many of today?s smart phones have GPS capability.) The event is FREE, appropriate for families, and does NOT require preregistration. Hope to see you on the 6th!
Tide Pool Discoveries
August 8th @ 9:00 am & August 22nd @ 9:00 am
For generations children have enjoyed exploring tide pools and discovering the fascinating plants and animals that live in this realm between the tides. A refuge ranger will guide this hands-on program. Appropriate for children age 5 ? 10. Each session is limited to 15 children. Each session is 90 minutes long, allowing time for travel to and from the beach. Meet the ranger at the visitor contact station at parking lot 1. Parent/guardian must remain with his/her child for the entire duration of this program. Preregistration is required for this program.
Refuge Bicycle Tour (at Parker River)
Friday, August 12th & Saturday, August 27th ? both at 9:00 am
Experience the refuge from the unique perspective of your very own bicycle! Starting at the visitor contact station at Lot 1, the ranger-led group will gradually make its way south along the paved portion of the refuge?s Wildlife Drive, stopping at various points along the way to view wildlife, hear stories of Plum Island?s past, and learn about the inner workings of a national wildlife refuge. This is an ?out and back? tour. The distance covered will depend on how many stops are made and how much time is spent at each stop. Tour duration will be about 2 hours. Appropriate for adults and children age 16 or older. Each participant must provide a bicycle, helmet, and water bottle. Participants may also wish to bring insect repellant, sun block, binoculars and/or a camera (if these items can be safely stowed while biking). Meet the ranger on the deck of the visitor contact station. Limited to 10 participants. Preregistration required.
Exploring the Refuge by Kayak
Friday, August 19th @ 11:30 am
There is no better way to see and experience the refuge?s salt marsh than from the cockpit of your own kayak! Join a couple of refuge rangers for a 2.5 hour meander through the marsh and learn about some of its fascinating natural and cultural history. Program participants should have kayaking experience and need to provide their own kayak, paddle, and personal flotation device (PFD). Participant boats must be a minimum of 12 feet in length and have onboard flotation. It is recommended that participants provide their own insect repellant, sunscreen, water, snack food, and wear clothing appropriate for the weather. Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Meet the rangers at the refuge?s boat ramp, opposite Lot 1, fifteen minutes prior to the program start time. Enrollment limited to 12 participants. Preregistration is required.
Whip-poor-will Walk
Saturday, August 20th @ 7:00 pm
Have you ever heard a strange bird singing in the background of a movie and wondered what it was? You may have been listening to the song of the Whip-poor-will. Join Nancy Landry, refuge volunteer and avid birder, for an evening of listening for the song of the Whip-poor-will and other birds of the night. Participants will meet in the Hellcat parking lot at 6:45 pm. Please dress appropriately for the weather. Flashlight and a pair of binoculars are optional. Limited to 20 participants. Preregistration required.
|
These Visitor Center Exhibits Change Monthly:
Artist of the Month Gallery: Each month a different photographer or artist displays their nature and/or wildlife-related fine art in the refuge visitor center auditorium. ? Photographic Society Slide Show: Just inside the visitor center?s front door is a large video monitor that displays the latest nature and wildlife-themed slide show that was produced by members of the refuge?s very own photo club. A new slide show, set to music, and focusing on a unique theme, is produced each month. |
Date and Time
Monday Aug 15, 2016
See schedule
Location
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
6 Plum Island Turnpike
Newuryport, MA 01950
Fees/Admission
Free
Please note: Some of the refuge programs require preregistration.
Website
Contact Information
978-465-5753
Send Email
