June 1, 2009: Bicycling now allowed on the Refuge

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: http://www.refugeassociation.org/contest/ContestHome.html.

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

(Sudbury, MA) The Friends of Assabet River NWR signed a formal Partnership Agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) on April 29, 2009 at Weir Hill Road, Sudbury at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Headquarters. The event marked an important milestone by formalizing the nearly decade long relationship between the two groups. The agreement was signed by Libby Herland, Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Project Leader, and Barbara Volkle, President of the Friends of Assabet River NWR. The agreement will afford the Friends additional opportunities such as occupying office space and operating a book/gift shop. The Visitor center (due to open in Spring 2010) will provide information on all eight refuges of the Eastern Massachusetts Refuge Complex (Great Meadows, Assabet River, Oxbow, Monomoy, Massasoit, Mashpee, Nantucket and Nomans Land Island). It will serve as an Environment Education Center which will house exhibits and classroom space. The signing of the Partnership Agreement along with the new Visitor Center ushers in a new phase of public use and outreach for both the Service and the Friends. Please consider joining our membership as we embark on this exciting course. Photos courtesy of Dave Griffin.

February 26, 2009: Friends Trail Naming Contest a Success — Refuge Trails now have names!

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.

For more details on the winners, see here.

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

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.

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October 23, 2005: Assabet River NWR Opening Celebration

The opening celebration for the Assabet River NWR was a rousing success. Here's a few pictures of the celebration courtesy of Timothy Coyne. Wildlife Refuge

The rain didn't keep people away

L-S High Environment Club with Karen Riggert and Barbara Volkle

Congressman Marty Meehan and the Refuge Staff

The local "press" was out in force

Cutting the ribbon

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