September

Palm Warbler - Melinda Moore

Palm Warbler National Public Lands Day
Saturday, September 25

National Public Lands Day is the nation's largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance the public lands Americans enjoy. In 2009 150,000 volunteers built trails and bridges, removed trash and invasive plants, planted trees and restored our water resources. Join us on September 25, 2010.

Video

We expect 75-100 general public volunteers based on previous events. It is also a fee-free day.

7:30 - 8:00 Registration
Dave Lurie leading this.

8:00 - Noon: Major Projects

Butterfly Garden border
Allen Hansen leading this.
Butterfly Garden mulching and redoing the spikes
We need a leader!!
Landscaping the boat ramp area
Lisa Jameson leading this.
Marsh Trail bench mulching
We need a leader!!

Noon - 1:00 Barbecue lunch on the pavilion.
Jeff Kramer leading this.
We need two more cooks!!

Please RSVP that you can help.

The Friends are providing gifts for the volunteers.

The Refuge will provide all tools and materials.

Thanks all – it will be a big day if the weather cooperates.

Fall Migratory Bird Day - Volunteer Birders Needed
Saturday, September 18, 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon

Refuge Biologists are surveying birds on the Refuge for Fall Migratory Bird day from half an hour before sunrise until around noon. Any birders who would like to volunteer should contact Refuge Wildlife Biologist Marcie Kapsch at (561)735-6039

If turnout is good, Marcie hopes to be able to do some of the surveys in the interior of the Refuge, either by airboat or on the canoe trail.

Meeting for Waterfowl Hunters
Wednesday, September 8, 6:30 p.m.

Refuge staff will discuss rules and regulations with hunters in advance of the waterfowl hunting season. Waterfowl hunting will be allowed for 5 days, September 22 - 26, before the start of the regular hunting season on November 20. Location: Visitor Center

Pollinator talk

Sunday, September 12, 1:00p-2:00pm

Attend a PowerPoint presentation by a Ranger as he talks about the Birds and the Bees and why we should Care About Pollinators.

Full Moon Guided Canoe Trip
Thursday, September 23, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Meet at the Headquarters Boat Ramp 15 minutes before departure time to enjoy a guided moonlight canoe tour through a portion of the Refuge interior. Wear long-sleeved shirt and long pants and bring a flashlight and bug spray. Cost for this tour is $10.00 per person besides the regular Refuge entrance fee. (Tour price includes canoe rental; you may not bring your own.)

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED - PLEASE CALL LOXAHATCHEE CANOEING at 561-733-0192.

Guided Canoe Trips

Saturday, September 11, 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Saturday, September 25, 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

Meet at the the Headquarters Boat Ramp 15 minutes before departure time to enjoy a beautiful canoe tour through a portion of the Refuge interior. You may rent a canoe for $25 from Loxahatchee Canoeing or bring your own. (One canoe seats 2 to 3 people.)

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED: Call the Visitor Center at 561-734-8303.

Visitor Center Volunteer Orientation

Sunday, September 5, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 19, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

If you would like to volunteer to work in the Visitor Center, or if you would like to learn about other volunteer opportunities, please plan to attend a volunteer orientation session. For more information contact Judy Colvard.

Location: Visitor Center conference room (561)734-8303

Programs subject to change. For more information on any of the activities and programs, please call the Visitor Center at (561) 734-8303 or the Administration Office at (561) 732-3684. Check the Refuge event calendar online .

Cypress Swamp Boardwalk Still Open

The western side of the Cypress Swamp Boardwalk is open while the eastern side remains under construction. The plan is to reopen the entire boardwalk by November 1. Check at the Visitor Center for the latest information. The new boardwalk will have see-through wire railings so that visitors, particularly the little ones, should still be able to look out into the swamp easily.

Bike Trail (Mostly) Re-Opened

The bike trail along the L-40 levee from the Headquarters Area Boat Ramp to all but the last 50 yards south to the Hillsboro Area Boat Ramp has reopened. The last 50 yards remain closed, so entrance to the Hillsboro Area parking lot and SR 827/Loxahatchee Road is still not available from the L-40 levee.

Fee-Free Days at all National Parks and Wildlife Refuges

August 14-15 , 2010
September 25, 2010
November 11, 2010

The Department of the Interior has announced that these days will be fee-free at all National Parks and Wildlife Refuges.

Programs subject to change, for more information on any of the activities and programs, please call David Underwood at (561) 735-6030 or the Visitor Center at (561) 734-8303 or the Administration Office at (561) 732-3684.

Save these Dates:

Juried Art Contest - Loxahatchee Visions

The Friends are sponsoring a juried art contest and show. Entries will be accepted at the Visitor Center from October 10-17, 2010, with a reception and award presentation Sunday, October 24, at 1:00 p.m. After the presentation, entries will be displayed in the Auditorium until the end of December and will be available for purchase.

This contest is open to all artists. Each artist may submit one or two works of art, inspired by "Loxahatchee Visions." Any media or mixed media may be used, except photographs. Each entry must be framed and ready for hanging. Wrapped canvas with painted edges may be used. Size limit is 36" on each side, including frame.

Prizes will be awarded in 2 categories - Novice (to age 18) and Adult (18 and older).
First prize - $250; Second prize - $150; Third prize - $100

The entry fee is $5 for Friends members and Refuge staff and $25 for non-members. The fee is waived for Novices.

Bring your artwork along with the entry form and entry fee in an envelope labeled "Friends Art Contest" to the Visitor Center.

Complete list of rules and an entry form

Labor Day Swamp Walks with Clyde & Niki Butcher

Saturday, Sunday, Monday – September 4-6, 2010

A three-day weekend in Big Cypress Swamp with Photographer Clyde Butcher, and artist Niki Butcher. Details

Photography Workshops by one of our Photo Contest Judges

Noted wildlife photographer John J. Lopinot is offering a number of workshops:

Personal Workshops where he teaches at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center on Wednesday nights with field trips on the weekends.

Special Workshops, including the Duda Farms Trip (free with registration for one of his personal workshops), the Nature Photographer's Camping trip and the Central Florida Bird Tour.

Sponsored Workshops, where he links up with places like Mounts Botanical Garden, Green Cay Wetlands and Busch Wildlife Sanctuary to teach special techniques over three weekend days. You need to register for these workshops with the sponsor.

Visit his website for more information

Refuge Programs (watch Bulletin Board)

Everglades Day (February)

A full day of educational programs for adults and children about the importance and history of "the River of Grass."

National Wildlife Refuge Week (October)

There is no better place to reconnect with both wildlife and family than on a wildlife refuge, especially during National Wildlife Refuge Week.

Youth Photo Contest (October)

"The Everglades: Through the Eyes off Children" was featured in the Summer 2006 issue of Wildlife Refuge Magazine. The objective of the annual contest is to reach out to young people, specifically, at-risk youth who may have had little opportunity to experience the Everglades.

International Migratory Bird Day (2nd Saturday in May) [more...]

The Refuge partners with the Palm Beach Zoo for a day of face-painting, environmental arts and crafts, and bird walks. There are family activities that include early-morning bird walks, live bird presentations and discussions of what all birds have in common.

Kids Fishing Day (June)

On this day, children learn about freshwater fish, fishing rules and regulations and wetlands habitats on the refuge.

Public Lands Day (September) [more...]

Local volunteers roll up their sleeves and devote their morning to weeding out a butterfly garden and other areas at the Refuge, including areas of the Cypress Swamp Boardwalk.

Visitor Center hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Programs subject to change. For more information on any of the activities and programs, please call the Visitor Center at (561) 735-6030 or the Administration Office at (561) 732-3684.