Patuxent Research Refuge Public Programs and Events for March 2014

Thank you for your continued support of refuge programs and events!  Below you will find a few reminders for February along with new happenings for March!  Hope you can join us!

1.  Visit the National Wildlife Visitor Center to see the Hollingsworth Art Gallery. From February to mid March the gallery features the Central Maryland Photographers' Guild.  Starting March 15th the gallery will feature the award winning entries of the Jr. Duck Stamp Design Contest.

 This contest is part of the Junior Duck Stamp educational program.  To learn more or how to participate visit http://www.fws.gov/juniorduck/ArtContest.htm

For more information about the Hollingsworth Art Gallery artists visit http://www.fws.gov/northeast/patuxent/vcgallery.html

2.  The refuge will be closed on February 17th due to the federal holiday.

3.  Longer hours for the grounds at the National Wildlife Visitor Center:

 Starting Saturday, March 15th, 2014 the grounds outside the National Wildlife Visitor Center will be open daily (except federal holidays)  from sunrise until sunset.  The National Wildlife Visitor Center building hours will remain 9:00am-4:30pm.

4. Expanded season for fishing at Cash Lake:  Starting Saturday, March 15th, 2014, Cash Lake will open for fishing (daily from sunrise to sunset) through October 18th, 2014.  Fishing permits are required and are available year round at the North Tract Entrance (off of Rt. 198) or starting March 1st at the National Wildlife Visitor Center (off of Powdermill Rd).  Cash Lake will be closed on federal holidays during the fishing season.

5. Patuxent Research Refuge

Public Programs

March 2014

Or online at http://www.fws.gov/northeast/patuxent/ntedu.html

To Register for a Program:

All programs are FREE, however, donations to The Friends of Patuxent are greatly appreciated!  Note: These public programs are designed for individuals/families.  Programs DO require advance reservations and may be subject to changes or cancellation due to weather or low participation.

Please call 301-497-5887 to make your reservation.

Please notify the refuge of any special needs so that you may be accommodated.

Patuxent.fws.gov <http://patuxent.fws.gov/>

Programs Held at the National Wildlife Visitor Center

The Visitor Center is located on Powder Mill Road between the Baltimore-Washington Parkway and Rt. 197.

Leave it to Beavers

Wednesday, March 5th, 10:00-11:00am, Ages 5-7

Discover the clever techniques these cool and resourceful animals use to live in the wild in this hands-on program. Registration is required.

Puppet Show: A Fox's Tale

Friday, March 7th, 10:00 am & 11:30am, All Ages

All Ages Welcome!  No Registration Necessary

Discover the nighttime world of critters found at Patuxent Research Refuge.  Length of introduction and puppet show runs approximately 20 minutes.

Bird Walks

Saturday, March 8th, 8:30-10:00am, Ages 10+

Wednesday, March 12th, 8:00-10:30am, Ages 16+

Wednesday, March 26th, 8:00-10:30am, Ages 16+

Search for early spring migrants in various refuge habitats on this guided hike.  Field guides and binoculars are recommended. Registration is required.

Nature Tots: Who lives here?

Monday, March 10th, 10:30-11:30am & 1:00-2:00pm. Ages 3-4

Join us with your preschooler for this hands-on, interactive program that will explore places that animals call home. Registration is required.

Refuge System Birthday Bash Event!

National Wildlife Visitor Center

Saturday, March 15th

10:00am - 3:00pm   FREE

Celebrate the Birthday of the National Wildlife Refuge System!

See live animals, crafts, hikes, live music and much more!

No registration required.

Whooping Crane Observatory Tour

Sunday, March 16th, 1:30-3:00pm, Ages 14+

Enjoy a guided tour to the Whooping Crane Observatory at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center to observe a pair of graceful and endangered adult whooping cranes. Find out more about the Whooping Crane population recovery program. Arrive early, as tour will leave on time.  Space is very limited. Registration is required.

Environmental Film Festival Event

National Wildlife Visitor Center

Saturday, March 22nd

11:00am-3:00pm FREE

*Featured Films:* *Return Flight:* 11:00 am and *Magic of the Snowy Owls*:

1:00 pm

The Friends of Patuxent and the Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital present environmental films with special guest speaker Steve Huy from Project SNOWstorm, a live owl display and more!  No registration required.

Based on Books: Monthly Nature Series

Skunks!

Thursday, March 27th, 10:00-10:45am, Ages 4-5

Each program in this series begins with a beautifully illustrated children's story about wildlife.  Discover more about nature with puppets, props, and activities.  Registration is required.

Who says hoo?  Owls do!

Saturday, March 29th, 10:00-11:30am, Ages 8-12

Come discover this mysterious nocturnal predator. We will learn their calls, explore their habitats, and even dissect owl pellets! It will be a hoot! Registration is required.

Tiny Tots: Nature and Music

Sunday, March 30th, 11:30am-12:15pm, Ages 18-42 mos.

Monday, March 31st, 10:30-11:15am, Ages 18-42 mos.

Come learn about the wildlife at the refuge through songs and rhyming.

 Parental participation is required.  Registration is required.