Join Us for Free, Fun, Programs!

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
January, 2018
 
**Behind the Scenes Refuge Tour of Parker River NWR
Held on the following days: Saturday, January 6^th @ 9:30 a.m.; Sunday, January 7^th @ 1:00 p.m.; Friday, January 12^th @ 9:30 a.m.; Saturday, January 13^th @ 9:30 a.m.; Saturday, January 20^th @ 9:30 a.m.; Sunday, January 21^st @ 1:00 p.m.; Monday, January 22^nd @ 9:30 a.m.; and Sunday, January 28^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.  **Please note:  When snow and ice prevents access to the regular ?behind the scenes? segments of the tour, the tour leader will, instead, include a loop to the northern end of Plum Island.
 
**Focus on Birds:  Special Behind the Scenes Tour of Parker River NWR
Thursday, January 4^th & Monday, January 29^th, 1:00 ? 3:00 p.m.
This special edition of the refuge?s Behind the Scenes (BTS) tour will be led by veteran birder, and refuge  volunteer, Bill Gette.  While the tour will follow the usual BTS route, the leader will place a special emphasis on the birds that are typically found on the refuge in late fall.  Participants are encouraged to  bring binoculars, if they have them.  Tour is limited to 14 participants.  Meet the tour leader in the refuge visitor center lobby 15 minutes before the program start time.  This program is most appropriate for teens and adults.  Preregistration required.   **Please note:  When snow and ice prevents access to the regular ?behind the scenes? segments of the refuge tour, the tour leader will, instead, take the group to other locations on the island and mainland where birds are more likely to be seen.
 
Introduction to Close-up Photography
Saturday, January 13^th, 9:30 ? 11:30 a.m.
Winter is a great time of year to focus on developing photography skills that don?t require snowshoes and hand warmers!  Macro or close-up photography can be done anywhere and at any time.  Spend a couple of hours with Ranger Poole in the refuge visitor center classroom, where he will share tips and techniques for capturing compelling, up-close images using very inexpensive equipment.  Following a brief presentation, you?ll have an opportunity to practice what the ranger has just preached ? by photographing a variety of objects and ?micro-scenes? that will be provided as part of this free workshop.  Finally, Poole will demonstrate a basic image editing ?work-flow? using some of your images.  How cool is that?!  Preregistration is NOT required for this program; simply show up!
 
Photographic Society of Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
Next Meeting: Saturday, January 13^th @ 1:30 p.m.
The Photographic Society welcomes anyone who has an interest in nature, wildlife, and/or photography ? whether you are a total novice or earn a living by taking pictures!  The club meets every month, generally on the second Saturday afternoon. Club activities include special presentations, slide shows (of members? work), intra-club mentoring and training, photo shoots, on-line photo sharing, and involvement in the refuge?s various photography-related programs, events, and outreach activities.   Venue capacity is limited to 85 attendees (first-come, first-served).  Admission to this program is free and preregistration is NOT required.
 
Animals in Winter
Sunday, January 14^th, 1:00 ? 2:30 p.m. 
Where do animals go in the winter? How do they survive? Where do they find shelter? What food do they find? Who migrates, who seeks shelter in burrows or dens, and who sleeps soundly through the cold and snow? What signs can we look for of animals that are "toughing it out" on the refuge or in your backyard? You'll learn about fur, tracks, and scat. You'll learn to identify who has been scurrying or leaping across your yard from the shape and placement of tracks. You will make your own tracking booklet to take home with you. If the weather permits, we will go on quest to locate tracks outside.  This program is for family participation: children 5 yrs and older with their parents, grandparents, or caregivers. Adults must stay with their children.  Please come dressed for a walk outdoors if weather permits.  Preregistration is recommended so that supplies can be prepared.
 
Friends of Parker River NWR Annual Meeting
January 20, 2017, 10:00AM to Noon
Members and the public are invited to learn about the many ways  Friends supported the Refuge in 2017, its plans for 2018 (including its Engraved Boardwalk Plank fundraising for Hellcat Trail), and an update on the Refuge by Bill Peterson, Refuge Manager.  The meeting will also include election of Board of Directors by members and Officers by the new Board.  This event will take place in the refuge?s visitor center auditorium.  NO preregistration for this program.
 
Making Tracks:  Learning to Read Wildlife Clues
Sunday, January 21^st, 10:00 ? 11:30 a.m.
If you have ever seen tracks in the snow, sand, or soil and were curious about what made them, then this is the program for you!  Refuge staff will lead you through the basics of identifying common animals through the clues that they leave behind.  A brief introduction to animal tracks and other sign in the visitor center classroom will be followed by a trip to the refuge where we will look for tracks and attempt to determine their owner?s identity.   This is a program for beginners, so parents are encouraged to bring their children 10 and older.  Please dress appropriately for cold and damp weather.  Meet in the lobby of the visitor center ten minutes prior to the program start time.   Preregistration IS required, as the program is limited to 10 people.     
 
Evening Program:  A Tale of Two Beaches - Plum Island & Salisbury Beach
Thursday, January 25^th from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
How did Plum Island and Salisbury Beach evolve from remote and inhospitable barrier beaches into popular beachfront destinations? Why do they have such distinct personalities? With the help of dozens of fascinating photos, maps, documents and postcards, presenter John Macone will present "A Tale of Two Beaches.?  Once remote places, the beaches have evolved and changed.  The presentation will describe the dramatic events that have altered the coastline and effected the communities: erosion from severe storms, devastating fires, and shipwrecks.  

John Macone is the former editor of the Daily News of Newburyport and co-author of the book "Plum Island and Salisbury Memories?.  He currently works as the Development Specialist for the Merrimack River Watershed Council.  Spaces in the refuge?s 85 seat auditorium will be filled on a first come, first served basis.  This free evening program is sponsored by the Friends of Parker River National Wildlife Refuge and the Parker River NWR.  NO preregistration for this program.