W I N T E R Wallkill River View. Friends of Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge 1547 County Route 565 Sussex, New Jersey 07461

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W I N T E R 2 0 1 4-2 0 1 5 the Wallkill River View Friends of Wallkill River National

Refuge Owens Station is open for programs, fishing, kayaking, archery, and more

Wallkill River NWR will be celebrating its 25 th anniversary in 2015.

a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization to provide volunteers, programs, and monetary

The group relies on membership and tax-deductible donations to accomplish its goals.

1 W I N T E R the Wallkill River View Friends of Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge 1547 County Route 565 Sussex, New Jersey What s New at the Refuge Owens Station is open for programs, fishing, kayaking, archery, and more Spring, Summer, and Fall. Wallkill River NWR will be celebrating its 25 th anniversary in Friends of Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge The Friends group formed in 2007 as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization to provide volunteers, programs, and monetary support to help the refuge fulfill its goals. The group relies on membership and tax-deductible donations to accomplish its goals. Friends of Wallkill River NWR are looking to grow in the coming year. Save the Date! Decorating with Nature Sunday, Dec. 7 Make an evergreen swag, enjoy some refreshments, visit the Friends shop Winter Raptors Sunday, Dec. 28 See the hawks and owls that find refuge along the Wallkill River. Winter Search Sunday, Jan. 18 Enjoy a trail walk while we search for signs of wildlife in the winter.

Refuge Trails There are five trails that traverse the fields, woods, wetlands, and river edge.

Wednesday Walks Once a month, Friends of Wallkill River offer a walk along one of the refuge trails.

com/pages/friends-of-wallkill- River-National-Wildlife-Refuges/352259524833 25 Years and Growing Wallkill River National Wildlife

Plans are in progress for the festivities that will culminate in the fall.

2 Refuge Trails There are five trails that traverse the fields, woods, wetlands, and river edge. Each offers a look into the nature and wildlife of the river valley. Check the refuge website for trail conditions. Wednesday Walks Once a month, Friends of Wallkill River offer a walk along one of the refuge trails. The walks are designed to be easy exercise with a group. No need to register, but people interested can sign up for the list. Walks are also posted on the Friends Facebook page: River-National-Wildlife-Refuges/ Years and Growing Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge will be celebrating its 25 th anniversary in Plans are in progress for the festivities that will culminate in the fall. There will be a Name the Lake contest for Owens Station Crossing. Start taking photos now for an art show of scenery and wildlife in the refuge. Do you have a special connection to the refuge or the land before it was preserved? We are compiling people s memories and experiences. Write down your thoughts and mail to the headquarters, 1547 County Rt. 565, Sussex, N.J or fran_stephenson@fws.gov. Include 25 th Anniversary Memory in the subject line. Check back on the website and Facebook pages for updates. 2

Owens Station Open to the Public If you have visited Owens Station Crossing recently, you have seen a lot of changes.

A dock was installed this summer to allow people of all ability levels an easy launch for canoes and kayaks.

The summer kayaking program has become very popular. Numerous sessions were offered for adults and families to use the refuge kayaks on the lake for a scenic paddle.

The Friends Nature Shop moved into a room at the house on site.

The refuge staff, volunteers, and Friends group have been transforming the large bay in the Owens Station pole barn to make it into a more suitable area for program use.

The Winter Raptor program will be held there on December 28.

3 Owens Station Open to the Public If you have visited Owens Station Crossing recently, you have seen a lot of changes. Refuge staff and volunteers have been busy changing what was an industrial soil business site into a public access area for people to enjoy and learn about nature. A dock was installed this summer to allow people of all ability levels an easy launch for canoes and kayaks. The lake is open for boating (no gas engines allowed), catch and release fishing, and nature watching during the Spring, Summer, and Fall seasons. The summer kayaking program has become very popular. Numerous sessions were offered for adults and families to use the refuge kayaks on the lake for a scenic paddle. These outings provided opportunities to many who had never experienced kayaking before. Nature programs and archery are also done at Owens Station. The Friends Nature Shop moved into a room at the house on site. New items added this year include laminated field guides, waterproof cases for cell phones, bird ornaments, and more. The refuge staff, volunteers, and Friends group have been transforming the large bay in the Owens Station pole barn to make it into a more suitable area for program use. Insulation and a furnace have been installed. The walls will be covered. New flooring and other improvements are planned for the future. The Winter Raptor program will be held there on December 28. Pollinator Garden Volunteer gardener Jean Cramer has been busy creating pollinator gardens at Owens Station Restoring the natural vegetation and plants beneficial to wildlife is an ongoing process. The first stage entailed moving debris and rocks and replacing soil. When A Thru Z Quality Topsoil was contacted to deliver soil, they liked the plans so much they donated 30 yards of topsoil to the cause. Jean with husband, Ray Cramer and other volunteers have been transplanting trees, shrubs, and flowering perennials over the last few months. All are looking forward to seeing the fruits of their labor in

Programs at Wallkill River Birding Basics Friends of Wallkill have partnered with local birders to offer an introduction to birdwatching.

More programs will be offered through the year. Junior Refuge Manager Families with young children are invited to participate in the Junior Refuge Manager program at Wallkill River.

The book is available at the Friends Nature Shop for $3. Various programs are offered through the year to help families discover nature and complete the activity book. Winter Raptors Dec.

Live raptors from the Avian Wildlife Center will be highlighted. Following the intro people can head outside to look for the hawks and short-eared owls that hunt the Liberty Marsh.

4 Programs at Wallkill River Birding Basics Friends of Wallkill have partnered with local birders to offer an introduction to birdwatching. The first in the series was held at Owens Station Crossing in the fall. Tips on using binoculars, bird identification, and other pointers are provided. More programs will be offered through the year. Junior Refuge Manager Families with young children are invited to participate in the Junior Refuge Manager program at Wallkill River. Children ages 5 through 14 can use the activity book to learn about the refuge, earn a certificate, and become a Junior Refuge Manager. The book is available at the Friends Nature Shop for $3. Various programs are offered through the year to help families discover nature and complete the activity book. Winter Raptors Dec. 28 Come to Owens Station Crossing for an introduction to the raptors found in the refuge during the winter. The indoor talk starts at 2 PM. Live raptors from the Avian Wildlife Center will be highlighted. Following the intro people can head outside to look for the hawks and short-eared owls that hunt the Liberty Marsh. Winter Search Jan. 18 Winter can be a great time to discover wildlife secrets. Tracks in the snow can tell a story of the animals that passed unseen. Nests built in the summer are exposed. Join this walk at 1 PM to search for clues as to how animals and plants survive through the cold months. This walk will help children in the Junior Refuge Manager program. Details will be posted on Facebook. 4

It is time to renew. Friends of Wallkill River Membership It is time to renew. Your support makes it possible for the Friends to continue with programs and projects.

5 It is time to renew. Friends of Wallkill River Membership It is time to renew. Your support makes it possible for the Friends to continue with programs and projects. Friends of Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. All donations are tax-deductible. Membership Application New member Renewal Joining the Friends has many benefits: Corporate membership: $100 Family membership: $25 Your dues provide the funds for programs and conservation projects Individual membership: $15 Senior/Student membership: $10 Tax-deductible Donation TOTAL ENCLOSED Members receive a 10% discount at the Friend s Nature Shop Access to members-only events Early sign-up for registration programs Mark here for gift membership Please print: Name Address City, State & Zip Phone How would you like to receive our newsletter mail or ? Our Newsletter is also available on our web site. Memberships are valid from January 1 through December 31 of each year. Please make checks payable to Friends of Wallkill River NWR Mail to : 1547 County Route 565 Sussex, NJ

Volunteer opportunities are posted on the Friends Facebook page.

6 Volunteering Interested in sharing your talents or learning a new skill? The refuge relies on volunteers to accomplish its work. Volunteer opportunities are posted on the Friends Facebook page. You are also welcome to stop in at refuge headquarters and fill out a volunteer form. Come enjoy your refuge Friends of Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge 1547 County Rt 565 Sussex, NJ [Recipient]

Essex County Executive DiVincenzo Invites Children and Families to Expand their Understanding and Appreciation of the Environment

LEARN ABOUT BIRDS, GARDENING, HIKING, INSECTS, NATURE, YOGA, COOKING, HEALTHY LIVING, CANOEING, FROGS AND MORE AT THE ESSEX COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER Essex County Executive DiVincenzo Invites Children