Boy Scout Adam Brooks (Center-Right) is awarded Eagle Scout status at the Tubman Road Trail, in front of the Observation Deck that he built.

Visitors enjoying the Key Wallace Trail.

Visitors to the trails are greeted by a kiosk with interpretive panels and guides specific to each trail.

Present at the ribbon cutting for the trails was (L-R) FOB Treasurer Tom Hook, Chesapeake Bay Gateways representative Cheryl Branagan, Waterfowl Festival President Albert Pritchett, FOB President Marty O'Connor, and BNWR Ranger Tom Miller.

Hard working Volunteers (L-R) Zeeger de Wilde, Mary Konchar, Tom Hook, and Marty O'Connor install directional signs on the Key Wallace Trail.

Two new hiking trails at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge were formally opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the refuge's Open House on October 7, 2006. The ceremony took place at the Key Wallace Trail, a walking path of 2.7 miles located at the corner of Key Wallace Drive and Egypt Road (BNWR management compartment "D"). Also formally opened was the Tubman Road Trail, a path of approximately 1.7 miles located off Hip Roof Road (BNWR management compartment "M"). Both are interpretive trails, and feature informational kiosks and brochure guides. The Key Wallace Trail had been accessible to the public for about 1 year, while the Tubman Road Trail was opened to the public just a week earlier on September 30, 2006, National Public Lands Day.

Before the trails were opened, the only two foot trails on the refuge were located on Wildlife Drive and each were about ½ mile in length, prompting many visitors to ask for longer trails. The ideal response to these demands was to partner with the Friends of Blackwater (FOB) to create longer trails in different areas of the refuge that have more varied forest, fields, ponds, and a wide variety of wildlife species. In September 2002, the FOB secured a grant from the NPS's Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network of $33,000, and shortly thereafter a grant from the Waterfowl Festival of $25,000. The project's goal was to create an educational opportunity for refuge visitors by providing access to previously closed areas of the refuge, increase significantly the length of hiking trails available on the refuge, and offer the visitor "up close" wildlife observation opportunities.

The trails came into existence through hundreds of hours of labor by refuge staff , volunteers (700 hours alone by Volunteers), interns, and Youth Conservation Corps crews. The initial trail paths through the wooded areas were cut using a hydro-axe machine. They were then lined with the trunks of downed trees, and small bridges and walkways were built and installed to span ditches and low areas. In the areas where the trail utilizes existing access roads, the roads were built up, reshaped, and planted with grass seed. Areas around the heads of each trail were landscaped and seeded with grass as well. Trail markers and arrows made of colorful recycled plastic were installed to show the way. "Everglades Trail" kiosks (per Service standard) were purchased and erected at the head of each trail. Kiosk panels and interpretive brochure guides were professionally designed with input from area naturalists and refuge biologists, with an initial printing of 25,000 brochures for each trail. Unique "Points of Interest" markers that coincide with the brochure text were professionally manufactured and installed on the trails.

An added benefit was the installation of an observation deck at the Tubman Road Trail entrance. A local Eagle Scout candidate, Adam Brooks, made construction and installation of the Tubman Road Hiking Trail Observation Deck his project to become an Eagle Scout. The FOB purchased the recycled materials for construction of the observation deck. Fellow scouts, under his direction and supervision constructed the deck, and refuge staff provided design advice and the use of equipment during construction. Former Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton toured the observation deck while visiting Blackwater during Earth Week 2005, and personally presented Adam with a "Take Pride in America" award.

The construction of these trails was a character building experience, to say the least, for all parties. Adverse weather, a multitude of biting insects, and logistical headaches were a normal part of work on these trails. Many parts of the trails, which had been planned during a dry year, had to be re-routed after a rainy season. In addition, a rare tornado (F4 magnitude) struck the area of the Tubman Road Trail, creating a path of destruction that took refuge staff and private contractors two years to completely clear. All obstacles were overcome, and in some cases used as an advantage. The tornado provided the refuge with a major interpretive point for the Tubman Road Trail, and created an edge that increased species diversity in the area.

The opening of these trails has filled an obvious void in the public use program at BNWR, and will provide an almost immeasurable recreational benefit to the people who visit this refuge.