March

Bobcat - Ruth Pannunzio

Children's Program
The Great Migration Challenge

Saturday, March 20, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Join us at the Visitor Center on the third Saturday of every month from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for  "The Great Migration Challenge".  This program is an active way for children to learn about migration and the hazards birds face during their journeys.

This fun yet educational program is intended for children of all ages and their Guardians.  More information can be obtained at www.fws.gov/loxahatchee or by calling David Underwood @ 561 735-6030.

2010 Refuge Photo Contest Presentation & Reception

Sunday, March 21, 2:00 p.m.

View all of the fabulous entries in our 2010 photo contest, enjoy wine and cheese, and meet and mingle with the photographers on Sunday, March 21 at the Visitor Center. Please let Lance Warley know, as early as possible, that you are planning to attend.

Sunset Safari

Saturday, March 27, 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Join Bruce Helander and Paul Fisher for a Sunset Safari, where you will enjoy a catered picnic dinner and wine, explore state-of-the-art Everglades exhibits and video at our new Visitor Center, experience an exciting airboat or canoe ride (weather permitting) and engage with nature on a guided walk.  This Everglades Adventure is sponsored by the Arthur R. Marshall Foundation.

Cost: $50/person, $100 Pond Apple Patron - VIP seating and a special gift

RSVP by March 20:  Visit www.artmarshall.org to register online.
Call 561-805-TREE (8733) for more information.

Round trip transportation will be provided from downtown West Palm Beach. 
The bus departs from Trump Plaza, 525 S. Flagler Drive, at 3 p.m., with free valet parking provided.
If you drive to the Refuge on your own, plan to get there around 3:45 p.m.

Visitor Center Volunteer Orientations

Sunday, March 14, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 28, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 11, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 25, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

If you would like to volunteer to work in the Visitor Center, or if you would like to learn about other volunteer opportunities, please plan to attend a volunteer orientation session.  For more information contact Judy Colvard.

Location:  Visitor Center conference room (561)734-8303

Guided Canoe Trips
Saturdays at 8:00 a.m.: March 13, March 27

Enjoy a beautiful canoe tour through a portion of the Refuge interior. Tour leaves from the Headquarters Boat Ramp.

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED - PLEASE CALL 561-733-0192.
 

Full Moon Guided Canoe Trip
Monday, March 9
6:45 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Meet at the Headquarters Boat Ramp at 6:45 PM to enjoy a guided moonlight canoe tour through a portion of the Refuge interior. Wear long-sleeved shirt and long pants and bring a flashlight and bug spray. Trip will last from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Cost for this tour is $10.00 per person besides the regular Refuge entrance fee.

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED - PLEASE CALL 561-733-0192.

Cypress Swamp Strolls
Every Sunday, 2:00 p.m.

Take a guided tour on our 0.4-mile boardwalk through our Cypress Swamp. Learn about the swamp ecosystem from cypress tree knees to animals that call the swamp home.
Location: Meet at Visitor Center at 1:45.

Early Morning Bird Walks
Every Wednesday and Saturday, 7:30 a.m.

Join our naturalist for an early morning bird walk on the Marsh Trail. Learn about our migratory and year-round residents of the Refuge.
Location: Meet in the Marsh Trail parking lot.

Marsh Trail Nature Walks
Every Saturday, 10:00 a.m.

Join our naturalist for a nature walk on the  0.8 mile Marsh Trail. Learn about flora and fauna of the Refuge and about the Everglades ecosystem.
Location: Meet in the Marsh Trail parking lot.

Roving Bird Naturalist
Every Monday and Thursday, 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

A naturalist with a scope will be strolling around the Marsh Trail, answering questions and pointing out birds along the way.

Programs subject to change, for more information on any of the activities and programs, please call David Underwood at (561) 735-6030 or the Visitor Center at (561) 734-8303 or the Administration Office at (561) 732-3684.

Save these Dates:

Children's Reading & Crafts Program

Join us at the Visitor Center from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for “Reading On Loxahatchee is Fun” (ROLF), a children's reading program. Rangers and volunteers will read during the first part of the program. Hands-on activities, crafts and a walk through the Cypress Swamp will follow each reading. Open to persons of all ages, this program and the books are especially intended for younger children and their Guardians. More information can be obtained at www.fws.gov/loxahatchee or by calling David Underwood @ 561 735-6030

Saturday April 3, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Are you a Dragonfly? by Judy Allen and Tudor Humphries, Illustrated by Tudor Humphries

Saturday May 1, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Are you a Butterfly? by Judy Allen and Tudor Humphries, Illustrated by Tudor Humphries

Saturday, June 5, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Owl Babies, by Martin Waddell, Illustrated by Patrick Benson

Full Moon Guided Canoe Trips
6:40 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Monday, March 29
Wednesday, April 28
Thursday, May 27

Meet at the Headquarters Boat Ramp at 6:40 PM to enjoy a guided moonlight canoe tour through a portion of the Refuge interior. Wear long-sleeved shirt and long pants and bring a flashlight and bug spray. Trip will last from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Cost for this tour is $10.00 per person besides the regular Refuge entrance fee.

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED - PLEASE CALL 561-733-0192.

Photography Workshops by one of our Photo Contest Judges

Noted wildlife photographer John J. Lopinot is offering a number of workshops:

Personal Workshops where he teaches at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center on Wednesday nights with field trips on the weekends.

Special Workshops, including the Duda Farms Trip (free with registration for one of his personal workshops), the Nature Photographer's Camping trip and the Central Florida Bird Tour.

Sponsored Workshops, where he links up with places like Mounts Botanical Garden, Green Cay Wetlands and Busch Wildlife Sanctuary to teach special techniques over three weekend days. You need to register for these workshops with the sponsor.

Visit his website for more information

Refuge Programs (watch Bulletin Board)

Everglades Day (February)

A full day of educational programs for adults and children about the importance and history of "the River of Grass." 

National Wildlife Refuge Week (October)

There is no better place to reconnect with both wildlife and family than on a wildlife refuge, especially during National Wildlife Refuge Week.

Youth Photo Contest (October)

"The Everglades: Through the Eyes off Children" was featured in the Summer 2006 issue of Wildlife Refuge Magazine. The objective of the annual contest is to reach out to young people, specifically, at-risk youth who may have had little opportunity to experience the Everglades.

International Migratory Bird Day (2nd Saturday in May) [more...]

The Refuge partners with the Palm Beach Zoo for a day of face-painting, environmental arts and crafts, and bird walks. There are family activities that include early-morning bird walks, live bird presentations and discussions of what all birds have in common.

Kids Fishing Day (June)

On this day, children learn about freshwater fish, fishing rules and regulations and wetlands habitats on the refuge.

Public Lands Day (September) [more...]

Local volunteers roll up their sleeves and devote their morning to weeding out a butterfly garden and other areas at the Refuge, including areas of the Cypress Swamp Boardwalk.

Visitor Center hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
 
Programs subject to change. For more information on any of the activities and programs, please call the Visitor Center at (561) 735-6030 or the Administration Office at (561) 732-3684.