During the month of August, training and information sessions will be available for anyone who is interested in volunteering at Blackwater NWR. If you've always wanted to do something fun to benefit the Refuge, now is a great time to come and learn more about the many ways you can help. Register for the Volunteer Update information session on August 6 by contacting Michele Whitbeck at 410-901-6124 or Michele_Whitbeck@fws.gov. You can also visit our Calendar page to learn more about the two additional training sessions that will be offered in August: 1) a training session for those who want to work in the Visitor Center and 2) the personalized tour of the Wildlife Drive for volunteers.

From July 11-14, approximately 1,200 National Wildlife Refuge System staff, volunteers, Friends, and conservationists will be meeting for the "Conserving the Future: Wildlife Refuges and the Next Generation" Vision Conference in Madison, Wisconsin, where the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will adopt a new plan for the future of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

The Friends of Blackwater will be sending a representative to join the more than 100 non-profit Refuge System Friends organizations that will be in attendance.

If you can't make it to Wisconsin, you can attend a virtual version of the conference on the "Conserving the Future" website, where parts of the conference will be streamed for attendees around the country and where you can learn how to submit comments and follow the action using various social media sites like Twitter and Facebook.

Did you know that almost 98 cents out of every dollar spent on Migratory Bird Stamps -- or Duck Stamps -- goes toward protecting habitat for wildlife in America? In fact, much of Blackwater NWR was purchased using Duck Stamp money.

Few conservation programs are as successful or as efficient as the Duck Stamp program, which is why each year, thousands of conservationists, birders, photographers and hunters buy their annual Duck Stamp. And if you have a current Duck Stamp, you even get free entry to any national wildlife refuge that has an entrance fee.

Visit our Duck Stamp page to learn how you can help protect habitat by purchasing the $15 Duck Stamp at your local post office or online.