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[From Summer 1996]

Refuge Volunteer Program

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge has an active volunteer program. We currently have over 30 people who assist refuge staff with a variety of projects ranging from conducting shorebird surveys to working in the Visitor Center. Volunteers also assist with the collection of water data in the impoundments, pine bark beetle surveys, goose collar surveys, roving interpretation, boundary posting, and litter pick-up. If being outdoors and volunteering at a refuge sounds like something you may want to do, please call the refuge for more information.

If you are interested, the following is a list of upcoming events that, as a volunteer, you may participate in:

• A birding trip to Fisherman Island National Wildlife Refuge in June. This is a unique experience, since the refuge is closed at this time to public use. Terns, willets, brown pelicans, and many other species of birds nest on this island. It should be quite a trip.
• A birding boat trip to the lower islands of the refuge - Assawoman, Metompkin, and maybe even Cedar Island. Again, this is a wonderful opportunity because you may be able to see the federally-listed piping plover.
• For new volunteers, a Manager's Tour of the refuge is scheduled for some time in May or June. This will give you a good overview of the history of the refuge. and the more important facts you can use in your volunteer work here.
• In August, the Volunteer Awards Night will be held, hopefully early enough to catch some of the folks who leave in the winter. This is a good time to meet most of the volunteers as well as refuge staff and have some good food and fun!

These are just a few of the activities that are scheduled for the summer. If any of these appeal to you, please call the refuge and set up a time to meet with me. I'm hoping to see some new faces this year!

Stephanie Brady,
Refuge Operations Specialist

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