Focus on Turtles

Endangered Species Day at Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Saturday, May 26, 10 a.m., Helen C Fenske Visitor Center

Last fall, 22 wood turtle hatchlings were sent to Massachusetts as part of a new “head-start“ program. Instead of hibernating, the hatchlings remained active and were fed in the laboratory where they grew larger and stronger during the winter. The objective is to determine if this “head-start“ increases the survival rate. Wood turtles are a NJ state-threatened species.

On May 26, we will welcome these “head-start“ turtles back to the Refuge with Colin Osborn, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Biologist and Dr. Kurt Buhlmann from the University of Georgia. They will explain the head-start program and the plans for this summer’s turtle research, which includes tracking and monitoring of wood turtles as well as research on the Federally-threatened/NJ State-endangered bog turtle. Mike McMenamin, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Law Enforcement Officer, will also talk about the Endangered Species Act and the ways in which endangered and threatened species are protected.

Join us for this special program suitable for all ages. It will include live hatchling wood turtles and a live demonstration of radio telemetry. Refreshments will be available.

The summer 2012 turtle research program is being funded by Friends of Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.

For more information, call the Visitor Center at 973-425-9510.

Calling all Junior Refuge Managers!

For kids 5 to 13. Complete a Junior Refuge Manager Activity Guide and earn a Junior Refuge Manager badge at Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. It’s fun, challenging, and you’ll learn a lot in the process!

To become a Junior Refuge Manager, children must learn about the habitats, plants, and animals on the Refuge. Pages in the Activity Guide focus on frogs, turtles, snakes, birds, insects and invertebrates. As they complete their Activity Guide, children learn about these topics and also learn how to become a keen observer of nature.

During April and May, volunteers will be at the Wildlife Observation Center at Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge to assist aspiring Junior Refuge Mangers earn their badges. Once all of the Activity Guide pages have been certified, the new Junior Refuge Manager will be sworn in and will be awarded an official Junior Refuge Manger badge, a certificate, and a $5.00 coupon for the Friends Nature Shop.

Activity Guides are sold for $1.00 each at the Wildlife Observation Center or at the Helen C. Fenske Visitor Center. It is recommended that there be at least two visits to the Wildlife Observation Center to complete this program. The Junior Refuge Manager program is sponsored and underwritten by Friends of Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.

The Junior Refuge Manager Days at the Wildlife Observation Center will be held from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. on the following days:

Sunday, April 15
Saturday, April 21
Sunday, April  29
Sunday, May 6
Saturday, May 12

NWRA Flyer Spotlights
Friends of Great Swamp

Read the article in the December issue of the National Wildlife Refuge Association newsletter.

Staff News at the Refuge

Dorothy Fecske has been hired as the new Wildlife Biologist, replacing Craig Bitler. Dorothy has an impressive background in wildlife biology and a lot of enthusiasm for opportunities at Great Swamp.

Mike McMenamin has been hired as the new law enforcement officer replacing Tric. Mike will be starting early next year.

You may also see Jack Masson around the Visitor Center. Jack is a senior from Madison High School and is volunteering 10 hours a week throughout the school year. Be sure to say “hi” and “thank you”.

Gwen Vilade, a student from East Stroudsburg University, is doing her practicum at Great Swamp as part of her college requirements in the Recreation and Leisure Services Program this semester. In addition to learning about the Refuge and Refuge System, Gwen will be reviewing options for making the loop trail at the Visitor Center handicapped-accessible.

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