National Wildlife Refuges around the country are planning special events in mid April to mark the 39 th annual celebration of Earth Day. The activities, timed to coincide with the March equinox, are meant to build awareness of the fragility of the earth’s environment and what ordinary people can do to help conserve and protect our natural resources.

Earth Day is celebrated at many of the country’s more than 550 national wildlife refuges, which are dedicated to the protection of our natural habitat and the many creatures that depend on it for survival. Many refuges conduct year round environmental education programs. There is a national wildlife refuge within an hour’s drive of most major cities.

The National Wildlife Refuge System, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is the world’s premier system of public lands and waters set aside to conserve America’s fish, wildlife and plants.
Here is a sampling of 2009 Earth Day events on National Wildlife Refuges. For more information on events in your area, visit www.fws.gov/refuges and click on visitors.

Saturday, April 11
Earth Day Litter Pickup
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
Cambridge, Md.
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Join in the refuge’s annual litter pickup of the roads around the refuge, and enjoy drinks and snacks, compliments of the nonprofit Friends of Blackwater. Individuals, families and groups are welcome. Meet at the Blackwater Visitor Center.
Contact: Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center at 4102282677
For more information about the refuge: http://www.fws.gov/blackwater

Saturday, April 18
Earth Day Cleanup and Hike
Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge
Oceanville, N.J.
8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Join refuge staff and the Township of Galloway for a cleanup along the refuge’s Wildlife Drive. Then go for a short nature walk led by naturalists. Activities are free, but you must preregister: 609-748-1535.
A light lunch will be served. Rain date: Sunday, April 19.
Location: 800 Great Creek Road, Oceanville, N.J.
Contact: Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge at 6097481535
For more information about the refuge: http://www.fws.gov/northeast/forsythe

Saturday, April 18
Earth Day Litter Pickup and Bicycle Tour
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
Folkston, Ga. East
Entrance
8 a.m. – noon
Join in a cleanup of the refuge and adjacent Highway 121. Then take off on a bicycle tour of Swamp Island Drive. Enjoy staffed exhibits and demonstrations along the way about wildlife, plants, wildland fire, fishing, nature photography, swamp culture, hiking, bicycling, recycling and more. Discover some of the amazing plants and animals found in the refuge. Create nature crafts, see live animals and get a free bicycle safety check. Find out what local organizations do in your community. Learn about what you can do to help protect the earth.
Contact: Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center at 9124967836.
For more information about the refuge: http://www.fws.gov/okefenokee

Saturday, April 25
Earth Day Volunteer Day
Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge
Seymour, Ind.
9 a.m. 4p.m.
Join in a cleanup of the refuge. Then move on to other hands on
projects for all ages. Among these: improving hiking trails and removing invasive garlic mustard.
Contact: Donna Stanley at 8125224352
or via email Muscatatuck@fws.gov
For more information about the refuge: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/muscatatuck

Saturday, April 25
Earth Day Boating Tours, Butterfly Viewing and Fishing Lessons
Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge
Dayton, Texas
11 a.m. 2p.m.
Enjoy an afternoon of free outdoor activities, hosted by the refuge and the nonprofit Friends of Trinity River Refuge, at the Champion Lake Public Use Area. Activities will include canoeing, kayaking and boating tours? bird and butterfly viewing? walking the levee trail? and dip netting and fishing lessons in the lake for the kids. You may want to bring a lawn chair, as seating is limited.
Location: Champion Lake is located at the end of CR 417, two miles east of FM 1409 in
southern Liberty County. This is approximately 10 miles south of Dayton, Texas, from Hwy 90
or about six miles north of I10
at the Cove exit (FM 565).
Contact: Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge at 9363369786
For more information about the refuge: http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/texas/trinityriver

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>

Spring is a season of awakening, especially in the natural world. Go outside on one of America’s 550 National Wildlife Refuges to see what nature has to offer. There is at least one national wildlife refuge in every state and one about an hour’s drive from most metropolitan areas.

2009 Events

Fri. April 17:  2nd Annual Youth Fishing Rodeo, Grand Cote National Wildlife Refuge, Louisiana
Land a big one and win a prize. Open to children ages 4 – 12; 8 a.m. to noon.
For more information about the refuge:  http://www.fws.gov/grandcote/

Sat. April 18:  Earth Day Festivities, Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, East Entrance, near Folkston, Ga.
Start your day with a litter pick-up on the refuge.  Then take a bicycle tour of Swamp Island Drive, stopping at many exhibits and demonstrations about wildlife, wildland fire, fishing, nature photography, swamp culture, hiking, bicycling and recycling. Create nature crafts, see live animals and get a free bicycle safety check. 8 a.m. – noon.   For more information about the refuge: http://www.fws.gov/okefenokee/

Sat. April 25:  Earth Day Festivities, Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge, Texas Enjoy a host of free outdoor activities at the Champion Lake Public Use Area, including canoeing, kayaking and boating tours, bird and butterfly viewing, walking the levee trail, and dip netting and fishing lessons in the lake for the kids.  Bring a lawn chair as seating is limited. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  For more information about the refuge:  http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/texas/trinityriver/

Sat. April 17:  2nd Annual Youth Fishing Rodeo, Grand Cote National Wildlife Refuge, Louisiana
Land a big one and win a prize. Open to children ages 4 – 12; 8 a.m. to noon.
For more information about the refuge:  http://www.fws.gov/grandcote/

Sat. April 18:  Earth Day Festivities, Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, East Entrance, near Folkston, Ga.
Start your day with a litter pick-up on the refuge.  Then take a bicycle tour of Swamp Island Drive, stopping at many exhibits and demonstrations about wildlife, wildland fire, fishing, nature photography, swamp culture, hiking, bicycling and recycling. Create nature crafts, see live animals and get a free bicycle safety check. 8 a.m. – noon.   For more information about the refuge: http://www.fws.gov/okefenokee/

Sat. April 25:  Earth Day Festivities, Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge, Texas Enjoy a host of free outdoor activities at the Champion Lake Public Use Area, including canoeing, kayaking and boating tours, bird and butterfly viewing, walking the levee trail, and dip netting and fishing lessons in the lake for the kids.  Bring a lawn chair as seating is limited. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  For more information about the refuge:  http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/texas/trinityriver/

Sat. April 25:  Spring into Nature 2009, Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, New York
Bring the kids and welcome spring back to the swamps. This free event, sponsored by the Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge in partnership with the Buffalo Audubon Society and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, features exhibits, demonstrations and hands-on activities to connect children with nature. Includes bald eagle watch, guest speakers and live animals.  .9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
For more information about the refuge:  http://www.fws.gov/northeast/iroquois/

Thurs., May 7 and Friday, May 8:  Birding Festival, Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Suffolk, Va.
Celebrate International Migratory Bird Day with a guided bird walk, a refuge tour, birding and photography workshops and family activities.
For more information about the refuge:  http://www.fws.gov/northeast/greatdismalswamp/

Thurs, May 7 and Friday, May 8:  17th Annual Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival, Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, Homer, Alaska
Celebrate spring and the 50th anniversary of Alaska’s Statehood at this festival, which coincides with International Migratory Bird Day. The theme: “Birds in Culture: Our Brothers and Sisters Return.” Hear two keynote speakers: Yup’ik storyteller Jack Dalton and Paul Baicich, author of “A Guide to the Nests, Eggs, and Nestlings of North American Birds” and chair of the Council on Environmental Education’s Bird Education Network.  For more information about the refuge:  http://alaska.fws.gov/nwr/akmar/index.htm

Sat. May 9: International Migratory Bird Day, Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, Zimmerman, Minn.
Celebrate the return of millions of migratory birds to their breeding areas by joining either of two guided bird tours at Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday, May 9. The “Songbird Search,” enjoyed most by intermediate and experienced birders, runs from 7:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. “Birds in the Wetlands,” which focuses on beginning birders and families, runs from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Both programs begin at the Old School House on County Road 9. For more information about the refuge:http://www.fws.gov/midwest/Sherburne/

Thurs, May 28:  The CCC at Deer Flat: A Legacy of Federal Labor in the Treasure Valley,  Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge, Idaho
Celebrate Deer Flat’s 100th anniversary by attending a lecture by Boise State University history professor Marc Fisk about this historic place.
For more information about the refuge:  http://www.fws.gov/deerflat/