Children get up close and personal with ocean critters at the Parker River Wildlife Festival

Refuge Ranger Kate Toniolo introduces children to a striped skunk from Curious Creatures

This years Wildlife Festival at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge inspired wonder, excitement, curiosity and fascination in children and adults from the surrounding community.  On October 11, 2008 over 400 people came to the visitor center excited to participate in the day's hands-on, interactive activities.  Highlights included an ocean touch tank where people could get up close and personal with sea stars, lobsters, horseshoe crabs and more, button making, owl pellet dissection, live musical entertainment, and a live, hands-on presentation of several animals brought to us by Curious Creatures of Georgetown, MA.  Participants learned about each animal through inquiry and experience. Interacting with skunks, snakes, flying squirrels and more provided opportunities for all involved to move past their fears and get to know animals personally.

In addition to the events held at the visitor center, the refuge also offered a morning canoe/kayak tour through refuge salt marsh habitat, and an afternoon hike through dune, maritime forest, freshwater marsh habitat.  Mass Audubon Joppa Flats partnered with the refuge for the event, by leading a bird banding demonstration on the refuge. 

The festival was a huge success with participants leaving the refuge hoping for more wildlife days to come!