NewsHeadlines(click a headline to skip to the story)
January 15, 2010American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Funding for Assabet River NWR
December 11, 2009Parking is restored at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge
November 23, 2009Friends cosponsor art exhibit and reception with the SVT
November 19, 2009Interior Secretary Ken Salazar urges Americans to connect with nature
November 1, 2009Friends to set up a Nature Store at the new Visitor Center at Assabet River NWR
October 13, 2009Temporary closure of Winterberry Way on Assabet River NWR
July 27, 2009GMNWR Concord Impoundment Management 2009
June 1, 2009Bicycling now allowed on the Refuge
May 1, 2009Refuge Association Launches 4th Annual Refuge Photo Contest
April 29, 2009Friends and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Sign Partnership Agreement
February 26, 2009Friends Trail Naming Contest a Success — Refuge Trails now have names!
September 23, 200891 Acres Added to Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge
September 23, 2008USFWS Begins Planning Process for Nantucket NWR and Plan for Nomans Land Island
August 22, 2008Friends of the Assabet River NWR sponsoring trail naming contest
May 22, 2008Congressional Study finds Wildlife Refuges vastly under-funded
January 15, 2010: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Funding for Assabet River NWR(Sudbury MA) In 2010, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will open the doors to a new energy-efficient visitor center at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge in Sudbury, Massachusetts. American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding will support the fabrication and installation of exhibits and the installation of solar panels to provide electricity to the new center. Visit the Recovery Act website for more information and a video tour of the new visitor center at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge. December 11, 2009: Parking is restored at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge(Sudbury MA) After weeks of road construction at the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge, visitors can once again access the Refuge from Hudson Road in Sudbury. Significant progress on new parking lots, a walkway, and a new entrance road to the visitor center was made this fall. Road construction has ceased for the winter, and the project will be completed next year. For now, though, starting Saturday, December 12th, visitors will be able to park on Patrol Road at the refuge. Once you pull off of Hudson Road and enter the refuge, please turn left. A small, grassy parking area on your left has been established to accommodate approximately 6-8 vehicles. This will be the temporary parking area until the new parking area by the kiosk is completed next year. Visitors may also continue to park at the North Gate parking area, off White Pond Road in Stow. Once this road construction project is completed, visitors will be able to park in three different locations: by the kiosk on Patrol Road at the main entrance on Hudson Road, at the visitor center, and near Puffer Pond. Future plans for further improving visitor access include permanent improvements to the North Gate parking area and the construction of a small parking area in Maynard on Old Marlborough Road at the Refuge's east gate. We realize this has been an inconvenience to visitors - we are balancing visitor safety and construction efficiency as best as possible. The anticipated spring 2010 opening of the new visitor center is on schedule. We are so excited and look forward to offering a new facility to the public along with programming and environmental education opportunities in 2010! Please email Susan_J_Russo@fws.gov or call 978-443-4661 x34 if you have further questions and/or concerns. November 23, 2009: Friends cosponsor art exhibit and reception with the SVT(Sudbury MA) The Sudbury Valley Trustees and the Friends of the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge cosponsored an art exhibit at SVT’s Wolbach Farm from November 8th – 13th. The exhibit was entitled Discovering Echoes of a Place: Studies in Landscape and Still Life Painting and featured nearly 60 paintings by 26 artists from the Metrowest area. The nature inspired watercolor paintings were on display at the barn at Wolbach Farm. About 18 of the artists participated in the FARNWR sponsored art workshops at Weir Hill, Great Meadows NWR under the instruction of Cecilia Sharma of Sudbury. Others had taken similar classes with Cecelia at SVT, Wayland Arts Center and in Wellesley.
The artists reception on Sunday November 8th, attracted over a 100 guests. With the beautiful fall weather, the picturesque Wolbach property and the barn and good food provided by the artists, the reception was a very enjoyable event.
Images courtesy of Michael Sanders, Sudbury Valley Trustees. November 19, 2009: Interior Secretary Ken Salazar Urges Americans to Connect with Nature and Visit a National Wildlife Refuge(Washington DC) Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has announced the launch of an extensive public service radio campaign urging Americans to connect with nature and visit a National Wildlife Refuge. “Americans can take pride in the tremendous beauty and diversity of refuge lands dedicated to the protection of wildlife habitat,” Salazar said. “By visiting these places and encouraging their children to forge a connection with nature, they can help ensure vital wildlife conservation efforts will continue for generations to come.” The public service radio campaign consists of eight professionally recorded 60-second spots extolling the sights and sounds of refuges and their efforts to preserve some of these species. Over 3,500 radio stations will receive the first four of these educational messages in November; the second set of four will be distributed in April. “This is another National Wildlife Refuge minute,” begins each segment, which encourages visitors to see a national wildlife refuge that undertakes much the same kind of resource management that are given as examples in the four recorded spots. The four spots to be distributed in the spring convey how four of the senses – sight, hearing, touch and smell – are ignited when visiting refuges “where nature still exists as it was meant to be experienced.” Listen to the radio campaign here: RefugesOnTheRadio. November 1, 2009: Friends to set up a Nature Store at the new Visitor Center(Sudbury MA) Friends will set up and operate a Nature Store at the new Visitor Center at the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge. The Visitor Center is due to open in the spring of 2010 and will represent the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex (Complex) refuges. Revenue from the store will help support the Friend's successful outreach programs as well as the Fish and Wildlife Service's projects at Assabet River and the other refuges. The Visitor Center and the Nature Store will be a big step forward in bringing the refuges of the Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex to the public's attention. There are eight refuges that make up the Complex. They stretch from Great Meadows, Assabet River and Oxbow outside of Boston to Monomoy, Massasoit, Mashpee, Nantucket and Nomans Land Island on Cape Cod. In particular, it will give much needed publicity to Assabet River NWR, the newest of the eight refuges. This was a former US Army property acquired by the Fish and Wildlife Service in 2000 and opened to the public in 2005, with the help of volunteers from the Friends. This area has been out-of-bounds for over 60 years and the Visitor Center and the Nature Store will mark a new phase in welcoming the public back to the area. The Nature Store will complement and support the mission of the Visitor Center; to serve as an environmental education resource, house permanent exhibits, and provide needed classroom and meeting space. The educational material available in the store, such as field guides of plants and animals and other items pertinent to the local area, will increase the visitor's appreciation of the refuge. Trained volunteers operating the Nature Store, in addition to refuge staff, will provide an important personal interaction for visitors. Materials available for purchase will complement and support the exhibits and educational programs at the Visitor Center. The Nature Store will provide an opportunity for our members to become more aware of and informed about our refuges. The Store and the Visitor Center will provide opportunities to educate the public, especially young people, about the need for preserving habitat areas for wildlife. The Friends hope that this new endeavor will encourage more volunteers to become involved with the important work of the National Wildlife Refuge System and attract new members to our organization. You can get involved with this opportunity in two ways; first, by becoming a member or donating to the Friends and secondly, by becoming a volunteer at the Nature Store or the Visitor Center. Please contact Betsy Griffin (davebets@mac.com) if you are interested in joining our volunteer team. October 13, 2009: Temporary closure of Winterberry Way on Assabet River NWRBeginning the week of October 19th, road construction work will begin on Winterberry Way in order to improve future access to the new Visitor Center. The section of Winterberry Way from the Hudson Road parking lot to the new Visitor Center will soon be fully closed to all pedestrian access in order to assure public safety. At some point during the construction, we will also need to close the Hudson Road parking lot for several days. Visitors will then have to park at the White Pond Road or Old Marlborough Road entrances. We know this is an inconvenience and do appreciate your continued support of the project. We look forward to an opening in spring 2010 and seeing you soon! If you have any questions or comments, you may contact the refuge manager at 978-443-4661 or check for updates at www.fws.gov/northeast/assabetriver. July 27, 2009: Great Meadows NWR Concord Impoundment Management 2009(Sudbury, MA) Over the past several years, the refuge has been actively managing water levels within the Concord Impoundments for the benefit of migratory birds. Water levels have been raised and lowered in order to provide stop-over habitat for shorebirds and waterfowl in the spring and fall. Though management for spring migration has often been thwarted by heavy rains and flooding, water level management has still created habitat for a variety of bird species throughout much of the year, including habitat for marshbirds and waterfowl in the spring and early summer, wading birds and shorebirds in late summer, and waterfowl in the fall. Drawdowns also stimulate vegetative growth and invertebrate populations which benefits waterbirds, fish and turtles. Over time, concerns have been raised regarding potential negative effects of drawdowns, especially on Blanding’s turtles. In 2009, we are altering our water level management to maintain habitat for Blanding’s turtles and nesting marshbirds and waterfowl, while still providing habitat for fall migrating shorebirds and waterfowl. This summer, the refuge is also planning to clear ditches of accumulated sediment, create refugia (small shallow depression that will hold water during drawdowns) and increase topographical relief of the impoundments. More... June 1, 2009: Bicycling now allowed on the Refuge(Sudbury, MA) As of June 1, 2009, bicycles are allowed on the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge on a very limited number of trails. While cyclists and all visitors are encouraged to enjoy the Refuge, they should keep in mind that the primary purpose of the Refuge is the protection of wildlife habitat. All cyclists entering the Refuge should check in at the kiosks at the entrances in order to obtain information about which trails are open to bikes, speed limits, and other restrictions. Violators of these restrictions will be subject to legal penalties. May 1, 2009: Refuge Association Launches 4th Annual Refuge Photo Contest(Washington, DC) The National Wildlife Refuge Association (NWRA) announces its 4th annual digital photo contest showcasing America's national wildlife refuges. Entries for the 2009 Refuge Photo Contest can be submitted until July 15, 2009 with results to be announced in October 2009 in connection with Refuge Week. "Images are critical to telling the Refuge System story," said Evan Hirsche, president of NWRA. "We know that there are terrific amateur and professional photographers capturing images throughout the System. This is an opportunity for avid photographers to show their work to a broader audience and to help capture the essence of our remarkable wildlife refuges." The National Wildlife Refuge System, comprised of 549 refuges throughout the nation, protects both rare and common types of habitat - everything from southwest desert to arctic tundra. Images submitted for the photo contest can be of birds, mammals, insects, fish, other animals, plants, people, or simply shots of refuge scenery. This year, ATP Oil and Gas, Inc. has generously donated the $5,000 first place cash prize. Other prizes include two round trip tickets courtesy of Southwest Airlines, and offerings from Barbara's Bakery, Wild Bird Centers of America and Houghton Mifflin. In addition, the winners' images will be highlighted on NWRA's website and future publications. At least 200 images will be selected for inclusion in the NWRA Refuge Image Library and every photographer submitting an entry will receive a complimentary one-year membership in the National Wildlife Refuge Association. For photo contest details, requirements, and procedures, please visit: www.refugeassociation.org/contest/ContestHome. April 29, 2009: The Friends of Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge mark a new milestone with signing of a Partnership Agreement with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
February 26, 2009: Friends Trail Naming Contest a Success — Refuge Trails now have names!(Sudbury MA) The Friends of the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge congratulate the winners of our recent Trail Naming Contest. We thank all of the people who entered the contest and we are very grateful to all of the companies and individuals who donated prizes for our contest. The Friends of the Assabet NWR sponsored the Trail Naming Contest for the Assabet River NWR between June 1st and November 1st. Many of the trails in the refuge, which have their origin in the recent Military ownership of the property, were simply named X, Y Z etc. The land was transferred to the Fish and Wildlife Service in 2000, and the refuge was opened to the public a few years later. As an ongoing improvement of the refuge, the trails needed more “user friendly” names. More of this story ... September 23, 2008: 91 Acres Added to Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge(Sudbury, MA) The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has purchased more than 91 acres of land along the Assabet River in Stow, Massachusetts, according to Libby Herland, manager of the Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The land, purchased from the Sudbury Valley Trustees, will be managed as part of the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge. The lands acquired border the Assabet River and include 13 marsh and swamp parcels from White Pond Road to Gleasondale. Some of the parcels front Track Road (which is part of the Assabet River Rail Trail) in Stow; others are accessible only from the river, according to Herland. For the full press release including information on the involvement of the Sudbury Valley Trustees and the use of Federal Duck Stamp Dollars, see here. September 23, 2008: USFWS Begins Planning Process for Nantucket NWR and Comprehensive Conservation Plan Resumes for Nomans Land Island(Sudbury, MA) On October 14, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) will hold an informational meeting about the Nomans Land Island National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP). The meeting will be held from 7 – 9 pm at the Chilmark Library. At the meeting, you will have the opportunity to meet the staff, learn about current refuge management, help us identify issues and concerns, and make recommendations about future refuge programs. The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service is also pleased to announce that we are beginning the development of a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) for the Nantucket National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). Nantucket NWR is located at the tip of the Coskata-Coatue peninsula on the eastern side of Nantucket Island, known as Great Point. The 24-acre Nantucket refuge was established in 1973 when the Service acquired the property under the Act Authorizing the Transfer of Certain Real Property for Wildlife or other purposes from the U.S. Coast Guard. The first meeting for public input will be held on October 15, 2008 in the Town Annex Building (37 Washington St.) from 7-9 pm. There, you will have the opportunity to meet the staff, learn about current refuge management, help us identify issues and concerns, and make recommendations about future refuge programs. We hope to see you there! For more information on the CCPs and the planning process, see here. August 22, 2008: Friends of the Assabet River NWR sponsoring trail naming contest.(Sudbury, MA) The Friends of the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge are now holding a contest to name 14 trails on the refuge. Many local businesses have already stepped up to provide many prizes for each of the winners. This includes Wild Birds Unlimited of Sudbury, Brine's Sporting Goods in Sudbury, the Maynard Outdoor Store of Maynard, Russell's Garden Center of Wayland. EMS of Acton, REI of Framingham, Erickson Grain Mill of South Acton, Paul Boothroyd of the Maynard Historical Society, the members of the Assabet Keeping Track team, photographer Marijke Holtrop, photographer David Griffin, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife staff, the Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Ron McAdowof the Sudbury Valley Trustees, and noted naturalist Peter Alden. The contest will run through November 1, 2008. See here for local press coverage. May 22, 2008: Congressional Study finds the nation's Wildlife Refuges are vastly under-funded.(Washington, DC) – A new report released to Congress today finds the nation’s 548 National Wildlife Refuges are vastly under-funded, leading to unstaffed refuges and closings; unsafe roads and trails; decreased safety; millions of acres of invasive species; unprotected at-risk species; and hundreds of layoffs. For details, see here. |
Arthur Skura received a set of binoculars from Wild Birds Unlimited of Sudbury and a $25 gift certificate from Erikson Grain Mill of Acton for his suggestion of “Winterberry Way”.
Eric Lind received a pair of binoculars from Wild Birds Unlimited of Sudbury for his choice of “Puffer Pond Trail”.
Maynard Girl Scout Troop 2588 came up with the “Pine Garden Trail” and received an Audubon Field Guide
donated by Peter Alden. They will also join the Friends Tracking Team on a trip around the refuge.