Nearly 21,000 visitors celebrated National Wildlife Refuge Week at CNWR on Saturday, October 9 and Sunday, October 10, 2004. This event celebrates the beauty and wonderment of the refuge system and the important role that the system plays in sustaining and safeguarding wild living resources for present and future generations of Americans.

Three thousand people attended the family activities under the tent next to the historic Assateague Lighthouse. Nearly 1000 children participated in t-shirt printing, face painting, tattooing, bird feeder building, bird cookie decorating, and wildlife button making. Two thousand visitors stopped by the visitor center, while 600 people attended auditorium and field programs including live animal presentations, photography workshops, bird banding, butterfly tagging, and wildlife art demonstrations. During the celebration, the CNHA presented tours of the historic Lighthouse to over 700 people. All of these activities and programs by refuge staff and volunteers were free of charge.

Thanks to all the helping hands, smiling faces, and the beautiful weather this year's National Wildlife Refuge Week celebration was a huge success. As stated by Refuge Manager John Schroer, *This wonderful event would not be possible without the strong support of the Chincoteague Natural History Association."

See you again next year!

Laurel Faith, Outdoor Recreation Planner