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Friends of Blackwater
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We are excited to announce that the long-running renovation of the Blackwater NWR Visitor Center is finally complete! The Visitor Center reopened on December 17. During the renovation, the construction crew added a new glass entryway, a new multipurpose-room wing on the right side of the building, and a new expanded parking lot. When you visit, you'll notice that we have some empty space in the building. Currently new exhibits are being built for these areas and the exhibits should be in place sometime in 2014. We hope you'll pay us a visit soon to see our new building, as well as to see the many wintering waterfowl at the Refuge, including thousands of snow geese and tundra swans.

Wildlife biologists Matt Whitbeck and Amanda Bessler recently stumbled upon a patch of interesting looking grass at Blackwater NWR called Leersia lenticularis, also known as "catchfly grass." They were amazed to find the species because it's listed as endangered in Maryland and was thought to be limited to Worcester County within the state. Wes Knapp, a regional ecologist with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, visited the site to confirm the identification. The species occurs in swamps and low wet woods, a habitat that abounds at Blackwater NWR. We are very pleased with this welcome addition to the flora of Blackwater NWR, and staff will definitely be on the lookout for new populations at the Refuge.

The Friends of Blackwater recently awarded their 2013-2014 Environmental Sciences Academic Scholarships. The recipients were Stephen Kelly of Centreville ($3000), Allison Speight of St. Michaels ($2000) and Emily Harris of Salisbury ($1000). You can read more about the winners on our Scholarship page. Students wishing to apply for next year's scholarships can find an application on our website.

Despite the government shutdown, heavy rains, and an altered bike route due to the closed Wildlife Drive, this year's Wild Goose Chase cycling event was a great success thanks to our volunteers. This was the first year that the Friends of Blackwater took the lead in coordinating the event, and we were pleased that the event brought in nearly $16,000, which will go towards programs and projects at the Refuge. Thanks to all the volunteers who staffed rest stops, registered riders, baked cookies, assisted with logistical planning, and kept a positive attitude despite the challenges.

The Friends of Blackwater recently held their annual meeting and elected new board members, which include Rick Abend as acting president, Janet Shields as vice-president, Tom Hook as treasurer, and Shirley Bailey as secretary.

Maggie Briggs will serve as the new chairperson of the events committee. Volunteers are currently needed to support events taking place in and around the Refuge, including the Eagle Festival, Youth Fishing Day, Refuge Open House, Friends of Blackwater's Open House, and the Wild Goose Chase. If you are interested in volunteering to assist with upcoming events, contact the Friends of Blackwater at 410-901-6125.

If you're planning your end-of-year giving, don't forget the Friends of Blackwater NWR. You can donate to the Friends or become a member. The Friends do many wonderful things at the Refuge such as run the Eagle and Osprey Cams, help maintain all the land and paddling trails, assist with the student environmental education programs, run the Eagle's Nest Gift Store, maintain the Butterfly Garden and the Natural History Library, assist with biological surveys, and many other activities. So be sure to think of us when donating to your favorite charities.