Have you heard? Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge has rolled out a new Junior Ranger Program! The beautiful artwork for the booklet was created and donated by local artist/author Rebekah Lowell, and the program was designed by Ranger Tom Wall with assistance from summer interns Nina Silva and Kristen Hung. You can download your Junior Ranger guide booklet here!
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities at Rachel Carson NWR!
Youth Conservation Corps Crew Opportunity!
Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge is fortunate to be able to announce recruitment for a Youth Conservation Corps Crew again this Summer! The administration and application to this opportunity is handled by the Northwoods Stewardship Center. The youth work alongside a crew leader and Rachel Carson NWR staff performing a bunch of exciting work to support refuge programs as diverse as trail maintenance, invasive plant control and piping plover conservation. The program exists to expose youth to careers in natural resource management and is designed to educate and promote practical skill building for outdoor careers alike.
Photo Credits: USFWS
Please note that there is an "application process" but the youth are chosen by a random draw to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants regardless of qualifications.
One important note is that crew members will have to report to the current Rachel Carson NWR office location at 321 Port Road in Wells each day to participate in the program and they have to provide their own transportation to and from. Also - they must be 15-18 years old.
You can find all Youth Conservation Corps details and application here. Please reach out to Tom Wall, Ryan Kleinert or Karl Stromayer at Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge if you have questions about this great opportunity.
Upcoming April Volunteer Opportunities!
Collecting and Planting Live Stakes: Help Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge staff and interns collect and process cuttings from native shrubs, and learn the ins and outs of this restoration/plant propagation technique. Two groups will be collecting cuttings from shrubby willow and dogwood species on refuge properties in Scarborough and York. Plan to meet at Willey Field in Scarborough or near Highland Farm Preserve in York.
Wednesday, April 19th- Collect and process live stake cuttings. Gloves, pruning shears, and loppers provided. Expect damp/wet areas and light bushwacking. Waterproof footwear recommended.
Thursday, April 20th- Help plant cuttings at sites in Wells and Scarborough. Gloves and hand tools provided. Again, expect some damp/wet areas and light bushwacking. Waterproof footwear recommended.
Garlic Mustard Pull at Cutts Island in Kittery Point: Join Refuge staff and interns in hand-pulling invasive garlic mustard on Rachel Carson property near Seapoint Beach in Kittery Point. Garlic mustard is an easy and satisfying invasive to pull, so come out to help protect rare plants and New England cottontail habitat as we cruise into Earth Day 2023!
Friday, April 21st- Gloves will be provided, plan to meet in Kittery near the Cutts Island Trail/Seapoint Beach parking for a short walk to the site. Expect some damp areas, minimal bushwacking, and bending/stooping to hand-pull invasive plants.
Please RSVP by replying to colin_mckevitt@fws.gov with the any dates you are interested in attending, and please feel free to direct any questions or concerns to the same email address. Colin will be sending out a final update and more detailed instructions towards the end of the week preceding the events to everyone that replies- fingers crossed for some nice spring weather!
Preorder your 2023 Friends of Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge Wall Calendar!
You can now preorder your 2023 Friends of Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge wall calendar! Calendars are $24.00 each (this price includes shipping to anywhere in the United States). Calendars will be shipped on December 16th via the US Postal Service. All proceeds beyond the costs associated with the calendar will be used directly in our mission to support the Refuge’s preservation of land for migratory birds and local wildlife. Order your calendar here and show your support for Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge!
“Alice in Vacationland” by Alissa Kruszenski, a sample of what will be included in the 2023 wall calendar!
Sense of Wonder Photo Contest Winners!
"Along the Mousam" by Bud Marvel (selected for the Friends of Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge 2023 calendar cover)
Congratulations to our Sense of Wonder Photo Contest winners! Their fabulous photos will soon grace our 2023 Friends of Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge calendar.
The winners are listed in random order here and photos will be revealed over time!
Alissa Kruszenski - "Alice in Vacationland"
Bud Marvel - "Along the Mousam"
Betty Most - "Autumn Beauty" and "Snow Place Like Home"
Nancy Ahlsen - "Golden Hour on the Spurwink Division"
Jack Coughlin - "Steppin' Out" and "Narcissus"
Betsy Wish - "Paddling Quiet Water"
Marilou Hitt - "Hidden Mushrooms"
Reid Appleby - "Merriland River in Winter"
Tracy Birchall - "Misty Morning"
Judy Plouffe - "Morning Colors" and "Solitude"
Thank you to all contest participants who took the time to walk the refuge trails and snap a photo. Calendars are now available for preorder HERE!
Discover Your Wild!
Kick of National Wildlife Refuge Week and Discover Your Wild this Saturday by joining Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge staff and friends at 188 Brown Street in Kennebunk, Maine from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm! Fun family activities include nature journaling with local author/artist Rebekah Lowell at 10:00 am, a falconry presentation at 11:00 am, fishing, canoeing, archery, hiking and more! Hope to see you there!
Volunteer Opportunity!
Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge is hosting a Rabbitat Planting Party on September 23rd and 24th to celebrate National Public Lands Day. This year’s event will include planting native shrubs and young trees to create and restore shrubland habitat for the endangered New England Cottontail in Scarborough, Maine. Activities will include digging holes, planting shrubs, brief hiking, and chatting about local wildlife and conservation. Fee-free National Park day passes will be available to all volunteers.
Please refer to the attached flyer for event times and contact Sarah at sarah_dudek@fws.gov for registration and more information.
Walk for the Wild 5K October 8th - 15th!
Join Team Friends of Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge as we Walk for the Wild (walk, mosey, jog, roll or stroll a 5K!) to celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week, which runs October 8th through 15th! Walk for the Wild is a time to celebrate our commitment to deepening human connections with nature and to protect the thriving ecosystems on which we depend. The goal is to get people moving a distance of 5K on behalf of national wildlife refuges during National Wildlife Refuge Week, and grow the capacity of the nonprofits that support the National Wildlife Refuge System.
How You Can Help!
Join our Self-Guided À la Carte Walk for the Wild 5K - We welcome people of all ages and abilities to sign up for FREE! Join our À la Carte Walk for the Wild 5K to raise awareness for the National Wildlife Refuge System and Team Friends of Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge by walking or moving 5K on the Refuge throughout National Wildlife Refuge Week, which runs October 8th through 15th!
À la Carte Walk for the Wild 5K Details:
As this is a self-guided event lasting all of National Wildlife Refuge Week, October 8th through 15th, we encourage you to get out and visit the different trails of the Refuge. You can visit just one (walking the loop more than once) or visit all three to get your steps in and explore parts of the Refuge that may be new to you!
The Carson Trail in Wells is a 1-mile loop that passes through coastal forests and offers beautiful views of the salt marsh. The Carson Trail is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. Pets must be on a leash at all times and all waste must be removed. Complete this loop three times to get your 5K steps in!
The Cutts Island Trail in Kittery offers 1.8 miles of easy upland hiking and scenic views of the salt marsh. Complete this loop twice to get in your 5K steps! (Please note: No dogs are allowed at this site).
The 1.13-mile Timber Point Trail is located at the end of Granite Point Road in Biddeford and offers a scenic walk past a fresh water wetland and coastal shrubland with beautiful salt marsh, river and ocean views. Complete this loop three times to get your 5K steps in! (Please note: No dogs are allowed at this site).
Donate - By making a donation to our team, 100% of your support will benefit The Friends of Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge and, thanks to the support of national donors and the Public Lands Alliance, a portion of your gift will be matched by the Walk for the Wild Amplifier Fund.
Spread the Word - After joining our team, encourage friends, colleagues, and family to support your efforts through a donation or they can sign up to participate too! Don’t forget to take and share photos as you participate in the Walk for the Wild 5K Challenge and enjoy your visit to Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge. Be sure to tag us using #WalkForTheWild, #WildlifeRefuge, and #FriendsOfRachelCarsonNWR.
To register to participate as a member of our team or to simply donate in support of our efforts, visit our Walk for the Wild event page!
