Refuge Summer Naturalist Reading & Craft Program
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is hosting a summer program for children ages 6-10. Children accompanied by an adult are invited to participate in a series of nature programs that will include a story, craft and nature activities. The program is free. Children that attend 3 out of the five programs and create a poster will receive a certificate and prize. The June schedule is as follows:
- Thursday, June 11 at 2 pm: Manatees
- Thursday, June 18 at 2 pm: Reptiles
July and August dates are to be announced shortly. Please call 321-861-5601 to make reservations and for information.
Ospreys of Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is hosting a program about Ospreys on Saturday, June 6 at 1 pm. Learn some fun facts about the fish hawk and view and active Osprey nest along the Visitor Center Boardwalk Trail with a telescope. Please call 321-861-5601 to make reservations.
Butterflies and Wildflowers of the Refuge
Join Refuge volunteer and biologist, Jim Stahl, to learn about the butterflies of the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. View a photo presentation on the common butterflies and wildflowers and take tour to observe and learn to identify these natural beauties. Bring water, and insect/sun protection. Long pants and closed shoes are recommended.
The program is scheduled at the Refuge Visitor Center on Saturday, June 20 at 1 pm. Please call at 321-861-5601 to make reservations. In addition, enjoy a Butterfly and Wildflower Art Exhibit at the Refuge Visitor Center.
All About Manatees
Join a Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Volunteer for a presentation on the endangered manatee. Learn fascinating manatee facts through a power point presentation and hands on manatee artifacts. A field trip to view wild manatees at the Manatee Observation Deck will follow. Program is scheduled for Saturday, June 27 at 2 pm.
Please call 321-861-5601 to make reservations. The Refuge Visitor Center is located on State Road 402, 5 miles east of US1 in Titusville.
Refuge Nature Driving Tour
Join a Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Volunteer for a driving tour in the Refuge van. Explore the Refuge habitats and discover the diversity of wildlife that makes this Refuge special. This program is scheduled Saturday, June 27 at 9 am.
Please call to make reservations at 321-861-5601. Bring binoculars, field guides, and insect repellant. Loaner binoculars and field guides are available. The Visitor Center is located on SR 402, 5 miles east of U.S. 1 in Titusville.
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge's New Litter Campaign
Adopt a Trail...Shore...Spot...Road Program
Volunteers
An exciting program has just been rolled out to the general public. Adopt an Area is underway. Adopt an Area is patterned after the national Adopt a Road program. The objectives of the program are to reduce and control litter on the Refuge through public involvement, improve Refuge habitats, improve the overall appearance of the Refuge to enhance visitor experiences, and increase stewardship from the local community.
Organizations including families, businesses, professional associations, clubs, civic clubs, and school groups will be encouraged to participate. Each organization will agree to a one or two year commitment and will conduct clean ups in their Adopted Area at least three times per year for at least three hours each time.
Interior roadways such as Biolab Road and Blackpoint Wildlife Drive, shorelines inside the Refuge and along roadways and dikes, trails, and spots such as the Refuge entrance and the Manatee Deck are available for adoption. Designations will be Adopt a Shore, Adopt a Road, Adopt a Trail, and Adopt a Spot.
Recognition for actively participating organizations will include a Certificate of Adoption suitable for framing and display, a permanent sign at the adopted area, listing in the Habichat, and an annual event such as a hot dog roast.
One press release has resulted in 3 agreements with 3 more pending.
During the summer we will evaluate the program and make changes as needed. Next fall, a campaign will be launched to recruit organizations and develop the program. If you know anyone who might be interested, please recruit them. Nancy is the first point of contact for interested organizations.
Optimism is high for success of Adopt an Area. The more aware and involved we all are in the program the greater our chances to succeed and make a real difference for the Refuge.
Kathy Eichinger
Refuge Volunteer
Please call Ranger Nancy Corona at 321-861-0668 for more information.
Please call 321-861-5601 for information. The Visitor Center is located on SR 402, 5 miles east of U.S. 1 in Titusville.
For more information, please contact us at:
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
Refuge Ranger, Nancy Corona
P.O. Box 2683
Titusville, Florida 32781
321-861-0668
Email: Nancy_Corona@fws.gov
U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
On March 14, 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt signed an Executive Order creating Pelican Island as the country's first national wildlife refuge. Roosevelt went on to establish an additional 54 national wildlife refuges during his two terms and set historic conservation values for America. These values have grown into a system, which today, consists of 546 National Wildlife Refuges on more than 95 million acres of America's most important wildlife habitat.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 546 national wildlife refuges and over 3000 "mini-refuges" called Waterfowl Production Areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological Services field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.
Please contact Refuge Ranger Nancy Corona by phone at 321-861-0668
