Parker River National Wildlife Refuge ~ Join Us for June 2017 Free, Fun, Programs!

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge - Behind the Scenes Tour!
Held on the following days:  Friday, June 2^nd @ 9:30 am; Saturday, June 3^rd @ 9:30 am; Sunday, June 4^th @ 1:00 pm; Sunday, June 11^th @ 1:00 pm; Saturday, June 24^th @ 9:30 am; and Sunday, June 25^th @ 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.
 
Bobolink Observation at Sub Headquarters
Saturday, June 3, 10:00 am ? 2:00 pm
Meet refuge volunteer and avid birder Emmalee ?Tarry at the Sub Headquarters parking lot.  Emmalee will have her spotting scopes trained on the beautiful boblinks that occupy the North Field.   Learn about and observe this really showy bird that you might not otherwise notice.  This is a drop-in program; just show up anytime between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm.  Binoculars and scopes will be available onsite. 

Whip-poor-will Walk at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
Saturday, June 3^rd @ 8:00 pm
Have you ever heard a strange bird singing in the background of a movie and wondered what it was? You may have been hearing 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 nighttime birds.   Participants should meet Nancy in the Hellcat Parking Lot (on the refuge) 15 minutes before the program start time (see date-specific start times, above).  Dress appropriately for weather conditions.  Preregistration is required; enrollment limited to 15 people.
 
Kids? Nature Walks - Explore the Refuge
On these Mondays in June: 5^th, 12^th, & 19^th; each session from 10:00 ? 11:30 am
Take your 3-5 year old youngster on a good old fashioned nature discovery walk.  Meet at the refuge visitor center before driving together to the head of the day's trail on the refuge (no parking fee charged).   For each session, a refuge volunteer will lead the children and their caregivers on a walk to explore different aspects of the refuge: beach, dune, marsh, scrub forest, cranberry bog.  Come dressed for the weather.  If the weather is completely unsuitable for outdoor enjoyment, then an indoor program comprised of a story, activity and craft will be held at the visitor center instead.  Enrollment is limited to 12 children.  The parent or guardian must remain for the entire program. Preregistration is required for this program.
 
Nelson Island Tour
Monday, June 12^th, 10:00 ? 11:30 am
Explore another part of the refuge ? this time, on the mainland. Join a ranger for a tour of a beautiful spot that few people visit: Nelson Island. If we?re lucky, we might catch a glimpse of a nesting osprey. Learn about the history of this little known refuge jewel. If weather and tide permits, we?ll take a very short walk along the marsh. (Muddy, wet areas are possible so rubber boots are recommended.) Consider bringing binoculars and/or a camera. *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.
 
Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge - Behind the Scenes Tour!
Held on the following days:  Friday, June 9^th; Saturday, June 10^th; Sunday, June 18th; & Monday, June 26^th; all from 9:00 am ? 12:30 pm
Join a refuge ranger for a behind the scenes tour of Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge, located in Newington, NH.  Participants will have an opportunity to visit areas of the refuge that are not normally open to the public.  See a diversity of wildlife habitats while learning how the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is managing this very special landscape for conservation.  Consider bringing along binoculars and a camera. The tour is limited to 14 participants; no more than 4 individuals per sign-up. This is a vehicle-based tour, with limited stops on the refuge.  This guided program is most appropriate for older teens. and adults.  Meet the ranger in the lobby of the Parker River NWR visitor center in Newburyport no later than 9:00 am OR in the Great Bay NWR parking lot in Newington, NH no later than 9:45 am.  (Indicate location you prefer at time of registration.)  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.  Preregistration required.  For directions to the refuge, click on this link: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Great_Bay/visit/plan_your_visit.html
 
Undercover with the Piping Plover ? Managing a Threatened Species
Friday, June 16^th, 9:00 ? 11:00 am 
The federally ? threatened Atlantic coast piping plover nests and raises its young on Plum Island?s beaches from April through August. Join a refuge ranger for a chance to glimpse this native species in its wild habitat and to hear the story of how biologists work to conserve the plover under the Endangered Species Act. As conditions permit, participants will have an opportunity to view the plovers on the beach, from a safe distance, using a refuge-provided spotting scope. Participants are encouraged to bring a pair of binoculars, a spotting scope, and/or a camera. Meet the ranger on the deck of the visitor contact station at the refuge?s Lot 1. Program is appropriate for adults and older children. Each session is limited to 10 participants. Preregistration is required.
 
Stage Island History Walk
Saturday, June 17^th, 10:00 am ? Noon
Join refuge volunteer Ellie Bailey for a walk into the past on beautiful Stage Island.  We'll meet on the refuge at Parking Lot 6.  From there we'll hike along the island, stopping at historic sites to learn how human uses changed over time and what impact they had on the natural world.  This is a hike of about a mile along a dirt road, so please dress comfortably and safely for walking and for the weather.  This guided 2 hour program is most appropriate for older teens and adults.  Binoculars and/or a camera are recommended, but not required.  Each session is limited to 12 participants, so preregistration is required.
 
Let?s Go Outside! 
Saturday, June 17th, 10:00 am ? 3:00 pm
Mark your calendars!  This is the second year for our new, FREE and very cool event for the whole family.  Spend all or part of a day outside at the refuge while trying out a whole bunch of fun, healthy activities including archery target shooting, kayaking, surf fishing, nature photography, and bird watching.  There will also be a variety of nature-based crafts and activities for younger kids.  While event ?activity stations? will be located both at the visitor center and on the national wildlife refuge, we recommend that you begin your event experience at the visitor center.  Complete all activity stations and earn a Junior Refuge Manager badge!  Activity stations will run continuously throughout the day.  Free shuttle buses will provide transportation to the different venues.  This event will take place rain or shine.  NO preregistration for this event.  
 
Special Evening Program:  Native American Peoples of the Parker River, Cape Ann and Merrimack River Region
Tuesday, June 20^th, 7:00 ? 8:30 pm
People have lived in our region for more than 14,000 years, utilizing the abundant natural resources while adjusting to major climate, environmental, ecological and cultural change.   Local historian Mary Ellen Lepionka will share her knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, this most interesting topic.  She is a publisher, author, editor, textbook developer, and college instructor with a Master?s degree in anthropology from Boston University and post-graduate work at the University of British Columbia.  Since 2008 she has researched the findings and available information in our local area of the Native American people who lived here.  She is a trustee and member of the Massachusetts Archaeological Society.  Her presentation explores current knowledge of these people from prehistoric times to the first contact with Europeans.  The program will take place in the refuge visitor center auditorium.  This evening program, sponsored by the Friends of Parker River, is another in their Guest Lecture Series: Celebrating Parker River National Wildlife Refuge?s 75^th Year! 
 
Exploring the Refuge by Kayak
Friday, June 23^rd @ 10:00 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.
 
Tide Pool Discoveries
Thursday, June 29^th @ 10:00 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.