Visitors assembling artificial nest boxes at the nineth annual Habitat Day Program at Crane Meadows NWR. Volunteers are wearing the chartreuse hats for easy recognition. - Photo by Paul Given, refuge volunteer, 3/14/09, Crane Meadows Shop Facility.

The greenhouse served as an overflow for displays and booths at Habitat Day. In addition, there were activities and exhibits between the shop facility and the greenhose. The Refuge recently acquired a full compliment of furbearer pelts through a Service CCS Grant. - Photo by Paul Given, refuge volunteer, 3/14/09, Crane Meadows NWR.

One of the activities available for visitors at Habitat Day was snowshoeing. Luckily the weather cooperated and there was snow still on the ground. - Photo by Paul Given, refuge volunteer, 3/14/09, Crane Meadows NWR.

Even though the weather was far from cold, a bonfire intrigues company. Marshmellows available for roosting is a welcome sight for the younger crowd. - Photo by Paul Given, refuge volunteer, 3/14/09, Crane Meadows NWR.

On March 14, 2009 Crane Meadows National Wildllife Refuge Staff and Friends Group conducted its ninth annual Habitat Day Program.  Coincidently, the program was conducted on the 106th Anniversary of the National Wildlife Refuge System. 

The day was beautiful and it showed with the number of people attending.  Over 560 people participated in the 5-hour event; all doing more for wildlife by assembling either a wood duck or bluebird box.  Once completed, the visitors took their nesting box home with them.  All of the boxes were assembled, 200 wood duck and 285 bluebird boxes. 

The program was held on the refuge.  There were 19 co-sponsors who helped make it possible and over 20 businesses who donated items.  Door prize drawings were conducted every 10 minutes.