Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge held their 10^th Annual Open House on October 1, 2005 from 8 am - 4 pm to celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week and the designation of Blackwater and Fishing Bay Marshes as Maryland Important Bird Area. It was also a return to the Visitor Center after two and a half years of remodeling and construction. The Friends of Blackwater celebrated their grand opening of the new Eagle’s Nest Bookstore. It was a great event with approximately 1,000 people participating in the many activities throughout a beautiful day.

The event began with a bird walk at 8:00am with veteran birder Terry Allen. Everyone who checked in at the information/bookstore counter received a Friends of Blackwater pen and package of caissons. Three presentations highlighted the event: a program on "Wetland Restoration" by Deputy Project Leader of the Maryland Fisheries Resource Office John Gill; a "MD & DC Important Bird Area" program with Dr. David Curson, Director of Bird Conservation with the Audubon Society; and a ceremony officially designating Blackwater NWR and DNR Fishing Bay marshes as a M Important Bird Area held in the new conference room of the Visitor Center. Other highlights included: falconer Andrew Bullen with his live gyrfalcon and peregrine falcon "Gypsy." (Andrew provided information on these magnificent birds and how he uses them for falconry), Delmarva fox squirrel tagging demonstration with Refuge Biologist Sean Flint and contract Biologist Mike MacKinnon, eagle prowls with Volunteer Zeeger de Wilde, live nutria trapping demonstration that brought the public up-to-date with the nutria project and elimination of nutria from the refuge, and a wildland wildfire program that included demonstrations on prescribed burning techniques, equipment use, dry hydrants, and foam capabilities.

In addition to the scheduled adult and youth programs, many children’s activities were scheduled throughout the day including: an invasive species puppet show, bird bingo, pileated woodpecker paper puppet construction, Smokey Bear activities, and helping Smokey Bear put out a fire. Other activities included an aquatic adventure with a seine net, bird suet preparation and feeder construction, archery, Mater Gardener program "Who Put it in the Bay?" and our wooly bear caterpillar races. Kids also earned a Jr. Refuge Manager badge and certificate by attending various programs and asking questions to fill out their marsh muckers card.

The Salisbury Zoo’s reptile exhibit, Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center’s birds of prey, Carrie Murray Insect display, Chesapeake Bay Foundation display, Terrapin Research display, National Aquarium of Baltimore restoration display, and an invasive species display were available most of the day. Members of the Master Gardener Program assisted children in learning "who put it in the bay." The US Fish & Wildlife Inspector J. D. Balden and FWS Law Enforcement Officer James Willett answered questions on hunting, law enforcement and especially on the display of confiscated endangered species items. "Tom Eagle" was sighted visiting the youngsters as they traveled from one activity to another.

Special tours to various areas of the Refuge normally not open to the public were given by Fire Control Officer Bill Giese, Deputy Project Leader Larry McGowan, and Project Leader Glenn Carowan. There were 21 staff members and 26 volunteers assisting with the event. In addition to the many Refuge activities, the Friends of Blackwater’s Eagle Nest Bookstore had lots of new merchandise for sale including the new Blackwater t-shirt and the new hunt t-shirt. Food and drinks were sold by the Lions Club outside the Visitor Center. No entrance fee was charged on the day of the Open House.