Visitor Center Closed for Renovation
|
Temporary Closure for Construction
On November 20, the Blackwater Refuge Visitor Center will temporarily close for a major renovation project that will bring a new "west wing" and entryway to the building. Our gift store and information desk will be relocated to the Environmental Education building at the start of the Wildlife Drive (same hours as Visitor Center). If you visit the store on Nov. 20 and 21 (in its new temporary location), you'll get a 10% discount on all purchases. Unfortunately, due to the construction, we will not be holding a Christmas Open House this year. Read more about the renovation project on our website. Also, please note that the first part of the Wildlife Drive will be closed on November 29 and December 3 for deer hunts. Read the Refuge press release (PDF) for more information. |
Eagle Cam Live for New Season!
|
Eagle Couple Preparing for Eaglets
 The Blackwater NWR Eagle Cam is now live on the Friends of Blackwater website. Cam watchers can check out our eagle couple as they prepare the nest for a new season. We expect eggs to appear in late January or early February. This nest has seen at least two healthy eaglets each year we've been online. Stay tuned to the Eagle Cam page for all the action. And if you'd like more eagle excitement, be sure to check out our video of an eagle couple on the Blackwater NWR Osprey Cam nest. |
Spicer Tract Added to Blackwater Refuge
|
Refuge Grows by 766 Acres
On October 25, Senator Ben Cardin of Maryland announced a major expansion of Blackwater NWR with the purchase of the 766-acre Spicer Tract on the eastern portion of the Refuge. This land will help close up gaps in protected habitat at the Refuge. You can read more about this acquisition on the FWS Blackwater NWR website. |
Membership with the Friends of Blackwater
|
Members Make Us Strong
 The Friends of Blackwater play an important role at Blackwater Refuge. The Friends run the Refuge gift shop, the hunt program and also the natural history library; they maintain the butterfly garden; they operate the Eagle and Osprey Cams and maintain the FOB website and social media outreach; they volunteer for environmental education programs for local schoolchildren; they help maintain the land and paddling trails; and they give all proceeds from their activities back to Blackwater Refuge. Your membership -- either a new one or a renewal -- helps our important efforts to make Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge one of the most respected and well-run wildlife refuges in the United States. And since Blackwater NWR protects one-third of Maryland's tidal wetlands, your membership also helps protect the Chesapeake Bay. You can print out our membership form (PDF) to join or renew today. And you can also read our Annual Report (PDF) online to learn about our latest contributions to Blackwater Refuge. If you have any questions about membership, please email our membership chair, Peggy Tillier, at eaglesnest16@hotmail.com |
