Grand Opening of the New Visitor Center at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge
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The grand opening of the new visitor’s center at the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge on 680 Hudson Road, Sudbury, will be held on Sunday, October 17th from 10 AM to 6 PM.
The new Center will have five major foci:
- attract and assist the 50,000 visitors per year that the USF&WS has targeted for the eight refuges in the Eastern MA Complex that the new visitor center will serve;
- provide a demonstration model of a cutting-edge “green” facility;
- serve as a curriculum-based environmental education center for our schools and communities;
- support a wide range of outdoor education and recreation; and
- house a Nature Store operated by Friends.
Each of these foci of the new center pose major opportunities for ourcommunity. Come see our new facility and what it offers for you and your community. Learn about opportunities for you to volunteer as part of “Friends of the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge”.
Grand Opening of the New Visitor Center at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge, 680 Hudson Road, Sudbury, Sunday, October 17th!
10am — 1pm: Bike and Hike led by Jill Phelps Kern This two-part event includes a combination bike-and-hike along ~8 miles of trails in the northern portion of the refuge, and a walking-only circuit of ~3 miles in the southern portion. Choose one or both! For the 10AM bike-and-hike, bring your trail or hybrid bike (trails are mostly unpaved and can be sandy/rocky), water and hiking shoes; for the noon walk, just bring water and wear appropriate footwear. Both tours will be led by Jill Phelps Kern, author of Hiking the SuAsCo Watershed. Please call or e-mail Jill to pre-register for either or both activities: 978-568-0814 or jill.kern@comcast.net. Limited participation. Early sign up will be appreciated. Copies of Jill Kern’s book available for purchase at the Visitor Center Nature Store. Jointly sponsored by Stow Conservation Trust, Sudbury Valley Trustees and The Friends of the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge.
10am-Noon: Exploring Pond Life at Puffer Pond with Arthur Skura & Stephen DeFlorio Sharpen your discovery skills and join us as we explore pond life at Puffer Pond. Using dip nets, hand lenses, field microscopes and binoculars we will investigate the plants and animals that make this habitat their home, as well as search for clues representing various signs of life. Stephen DeFlorio is a wildlife teacher at the Apple Valley Montessori School in Sudbury and Arthur Skura, formerly of Simmons College, plans and directs children’s outreach programs for Friends, NWR Urban Education wildlife program and Garden in The Woods. This program is sponsored by Friends of the Assabet River NWR. Program will be located at the end of Carbary’s Trail.
10am, 11am, and Noon: Bunker Tours with Jan Wright Learn about the history of the refuge and get to walk inside a bunker, formerly used to store ammunition in World War II.
11am: Family Bike Ride to Puffer Pond Join the Friends of the Assabet River NWR for a family-friendly bike tour to Puffer Pond. Explore the beauty of the surrounding area and see what nature has to offer.
Noon: Passion for Birds with Henry Lappen Created & performed by Henry Lappen where he uses realistic, handmade masks to explore how different birds have evolved different shapes and behaviors to adapt to their environment. Participants get a chance to try on the masks and soar as Eagles, swim as Puffins, and stalk as Herons. Henry combines his love and knowledge of birds, with his comic timing, and artistry in mask making and performing. Henry studied mime, mask and clowning at California’s Dell’Arte School of Physical Comedy. He is a member of the Hampshire Bird Club and the Northeast Hawkwatch. Henry was a Great Blue Heron in a past life. Visit Henry at http://www.HenryLappen.com
1pm to 3:30pm: Official Ceremony A special ceremony which will include guest speaker US Congresswoman Niki Tsongas, US Fish & Wildlife Service Regional Chief of the National Wildlife Refuge System Tony LĂ©ger, Joan Patterson of the National Wildlife Refuge Association, local schoolchildren, Presidents of the Friends groups, Arthur Carbary (who grew up on what is now the refuge), and Native American Chief Roland Jerome.
4pm: Presentation on the DeepWater Horizon Oil Spill in the Gulf Coast by Paul Phifer, PhD – USFWS Assistant Regional Director of Ecological ServicesJoin us for this unique opportunity to hear from an agency expert about ways US Fish & Wildlife Service is at the front lines in evaluating the impact of the DeepWater Horizon oil spill to migratory birds and refuge lands. Hear about on-the-ground operations and ways the agency is working through these challenges.
Cider donuts, fresh cider and apples provided by Honey Pot and Carver Hill Orchards.
All programming will be held RAIN or SHINE, and will be located at or have a starting location at the new visitor center unless otherwise noted. Facility is located at 680 Hudson Road, Sudbury, MA. For more information contact, Susan_J_Russo@fws.gov or 978.443.4661 x34
their home link: www.farnwr.org