Birthday cake, photo taken by Bob Costa June 9, 2007.

Tony Leger, Geoff Haskett, Kyle Noonan, Ward Feurt, and Bill Durkin. June 9, 2007 taken by Matt Boutet

The Blue Goose was a big hit among the children. Photo taken by Matt Boutet.

On June 9, 2007 the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge honored its namesake with a centennial birthday celebration. Refuge staff, along with the Friends of Rachel Carson NWR and several conservation partners and land trusts joined together to celebrate Carson's life and legacy with over 125 visitors. Despite the overcast day and drizzle, visitors experienced an abundance of information found among the 15 display booths and enjoyed special events including an early morning bird walk led by Bridget Coullon from York Audubon.

Other events included Eileen Willard's dendrology walk, a presentation from the Center for Wildlife about raptors and reptiles, a guided nature walk led by refuge biologist Kate O'Brien, and a salt marsh interpretative walk with LMRD biologist Dr. Susan Adamowicz. At noon a series of VIP's spoke about Carson's efforts and dedication to the natural world. Those who spoke included Ward Feurt, refuge manager; Bill Durkin, president of the Friends of Rachel Carson NWR; Linda Lyon, an aide from Sen. Olympia J. Snowe's office; Kyle Noonan, an aide from Rep. Tom Allen's office; Geoffrey Haskett, USFWS Assistant Director of the National Wildlife Refuge System; and Tony Léger, Northeast Region Chief of NWRs.

Following the speeches, everyone joined in singing Happy Birthday to Rachel and enjoyed a very special birthday cake. The day was a great success and concluded with a drawing for one of three copies of Carson's "A Sense of Wonder." Many thanks to the U. S. Fish and Wildlife staff, interns, volunteers, Friends of Rachel Carson NWR, our conservation partners, Girl Scouts of Kennebec Council, and all the attendees that helped make this event truly special.