Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge invites you to connect with nature at their 15th Annual Open House, which will take place on October 2, 2010, from 8:00a.m.  until 4:00p.m.  Guided walks, demonstrations, exhibits, and informational programs are scheduled throughout the day.  All events are free.

Terry Allen will begin the day with a bird walk at 8:00a.m., with nature walks, a forestry walk, and our famous "Eagle Prowls" following over the course of the event.

Demonstrations will be held by the USDA Nutria Crew and falconer Andrew Bullen, while programs inside the Visitor Center will include talks about refuge management, the Delmarva fox squirrel, our migratory waterfowl, and Harriet Tubman re-enactor Vernetter Pinder.  A special photography workshop, which will run from 9 a.m.  until 3 p.m., with nature photographer Jim Clark (a contributing editor for Outdoor Photographer Magazine) will also be available for folks who register in advance. The workshop is limited to twenty five individuals; to register please contact Ray Paterra at the Refuge Visitor Center at (410) 901-6124 ext. 21.

Activities for children will kick off at 10:00am and will feature bird feeder construction, hands-on archery practice, fun with Smokey Bear and the Fire Crew, Native American fire building demonstrations, and other "make-and-take" activities. Kids and adults will enjoy close up views of live animals including birds of prey, reptiles, and insects, as well as a display of wildland firefighting equipment. Exhibits and displays will be found inside and outside the Visitor Center. Food will also be available throughout the day.

Visit the Friends of Blackwater Open House page for a Schedule of Events and directions to the Refuge.

Note: Due to construction at our Visitor Center later this year, we will not be holding a Christmas Open House in December, so the Fall Open House is our last big event in 2010.