Happy National Wildlife Refuge Week – October 2022

Join us as we celebrate the outdoors in the Florida Keys and enjoy the flora, fauna and wildlife of the Wildlife Refuges. Learn more about this program celebrated across the National Wildlife Refuge System.

National Wildlife Refuge Week – October 2022

Learn more about this program celebrated across the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Join us as we celebrate the outdoors in the Florida Keys and enjoy the flora, fauna and wildlife of the Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges.

Schedule of Activities :

Help us Celebrate 25 years!

2022 is the 25th Anniversary of the Friends Group for the Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges. The group was formerly known as FAVOR (Friends and Volunteers of Refuges) and is now known as The Florida Keys Wildlife Society, . In celebration, there are a number of additional events scheduled for October that acknowledge our work with the Refuges and allow us to continue our mission of Outreach and Education.

• October 1  – An Evening with Ron Magill, Murray Nelson Government Center, Key Largo, 5-7pm
• October 8  – 8am Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge – Bird Walk. Meet at Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge HQ
• October 8  – 10am Nike Missile Site tour . Meet at Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge HQ
• October 11 – Evening lecture 6.30-8p, ‘A Paradise Threatened, Not Lost’, Nature Center, Big Pine Key
• October 14 – 8am Morning bird watching & photography – walking trip in the Lower Keys
• October 15 – Native Plant Day and 25th Anniversary Celebration Open House, Nature Center, Big Pine Key, 10am – 1pm.

October 1 – Join us for An Evening with Ron Magill – Key Largo

WHEN: Saturday October 1; 5-7pm

WHERE: Murray Nelson Government Center, Key Largo

A fun and interesting evening

Read more about Ron Magill here.

Free and Open to the Public

October 8 – Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge – Birding tour & Nike Missile Site Tour

WHEN: Saturday October 8th 8am   Birding Walk.

WHERE: Meet at the Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters, 10750 County Rd 905, Key Largo, FL 33037

BRING: Comfortable walking shoes, Insect repellent, Sun protection (hat, sunglasses)

WHEN: Saturday October 8th 10am   Nike Missile Site tour. 

WHERE: Meet at the Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters, 10750 County Rd 905, Key Largo, FL 33037

BRING: Comfortable walking shoes, Sun protection (hat, sunglasses)

Both Tours – Free to join in.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT JEREMY DIXON: jeremy_dixon@fws.gov

October 11 – Lecture ‘A Paradise Threatened, Not Lost’, Nature Center, Big Pine Key

WHEN: Tuesday October 11, 6.30-8.00pm

WHERE: Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuge Nature Center, 30587 Overseas Highway, Big Pine Key

Lecturer: Paul Evans, Outreach Coordinator, University of Florida

Join us in this fascinating presentation ‘A Paradise Threatened, Not Lost.‘ The presentation gives a historical understanding and ecological importance to the vibrant wildlife naturally found in the Keys, and the invasive species threatening their existence. Additionally, the lecturer will introduce resources to correctly identify and report invasive species observed outdoors in the Keys.

Free to attend. Complimentary refreshments.

October 14 – Take a Walk! Birding & Photo Tour in the Lower Keys

WHEN: Friday October 14th – 8am.

WHERE: LONG BEACH ROAD, BIG PINE KEY (Oceanside)

Directions: MM33 on Overseas Highway, turn onto Long Beach Road (Oceanside). Landmark – Big Pine Fishing Lodge at MM33. Continue along Long Beach Road for 1/2 mile, meet the Wildlife Society and Refuge volunteers at the Refuge gate (left side of road). Park alongside the road.

BRING: Wear comfortable closed-toe shoes. Areas may be muddy. Optional: Binoculars, Camera, wide angle lens, tripod and remote camera release for slow shutter speeds (if available).

For more info, contact Chair@FloridaKeysWildlifeSociety.org. Free to join in.

October 15 – Native Plant Day/ Plant Give-away & 25th Anniversary Open House

WHEN: Saturday October 15, 10.00 am – 1pm :

             10am – 11.30am:   Play Plant & Wildlife Trivia and get Free Native Plants!

             11.30am  : Join us in our  25th Anniversary celebration.

WHERE: Outdoor Parking lot of the Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuge Nature Center, 30587 Overseas Highway, Big Pine Key.

Florida Keys plant & wildlife lovers can test their knowledge of Florida Keys Native plants and wildlife by taking part in our ‘Plant & Wildlife Trivia’. Answer a question correctly and pick a native plant or two to take home. Learn which native plants provide food for local and visiting birds.  Everybody Wins!

Saturday Oct 15th – Join us for our 25th Anniversary celebration – Find out about our upcoming events. Meet us!  Learn more about what we do.  Complimentary food and refreshments.

Meet members of the Florida Keys Wildlife Society at their Information table. Learn what the Society does. Discover volunteer opportunities.

Where an activity has not been scheduled, take a walk or bicycle ride in the Refuges where access allows, kayak the surrounding waters, have a picnic , enjoy the outdoors.

Event details are subject to change.

As more information becomes available it will be posted here.