Green-Up Day
Living in Vermont we all know about the annual Green Up Day, the first Saturday In May. It is a great way to give back to your community and a great way to make a difference. At Missisquoi we hold an annual Green Up Day each year as well, however we hold it on the first Friday of May, this year on May 1st. This way we can encourage community members to help clean up the National Wildlife Refuge and also participate in their local town or city Green Up Day event. Often refuge staff will drive boats up and down the river while volunteers walk the flood plain forest picking up trash which has floated downstream. Other times we focus on trail head parking lots and road shoulders. Either way, we end up leaving the refuge a little better than before. This year I hope you consider helping Green Up the refuge!
We will be meeting at the Louie’s Landing Boat Launch off Route 78, about 3.5 miles west of Swanton at 9:00 am on May 1 st. We will work until noon then break for lunch. Please dress for the weather and bring water to drink. We will have gloves, bags and other supplies for volunteers. For more information, please call the refuge office at 802-868-4781.
Live Painting Tutorial – Project: Great Blue Heron with Jon Young
This year’s Painting Tutorial is in honor of birds found on the refuge. The subject is the Great Blue Heron. Join us and paint your own masterpiece! All the materials to paint this 16″ x 20″ acrylic on canvas project are supplied, and complete instruction will be provided by Jon Young. All you do is register and get ready for creative fun!
Each person interested in attending will need to fill out a separate registration. To cover supplies, there is a suggested donation of $20 to the Friends of Missisquoi for participation. Donations can be made at the time of the event. This class will have a limited number of registrants, so register to save your spot soon!
Meet the Artists Reception
Immediately after our Live Painting Tutorial, there will be a Meet the Artist Reception where local artists showcase their refuge, habitat, and bird-themed art. Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss the artists’ methods and ideas about their work. All pieces exhibited at the event will be available for purchase.
And this year during our Meet the Artist Reception, we will be announcing the winners of our calendar photo contest – winning pictures will be included on our 2027 Friends of Missisquoi calendar, which will showcase the beauty of our region and the incredible talent of the photographers who participate.
Daybreak Bird-walk
Join the Friends of Missisquoi NWR as they hold a daybreak bird-walk on the Maquam and Black Creek Trail. The walk will begin at 4:00 am from the trail parking area, located on Rte. 78, approximately 2½ miles west of Swanton village. During the one-mile hike in the dark to Lookout Point, participants will be listening for owls and other nocturnal birds. Daylight birding will take place on the return trip. Bring a headlamp or flashlight. Please register in advance for this walk.
Monthly Bird Monitoring Walk
Join the Friends of Missisquoi NWR for their monthly bird monitoring walk on the Stephen J. Young Marsh Trail. Our May walk each year is part of our World Migratory Bird Day weekend! This walk is appropriate for birders of all skill levels. Meet at the parking lot at 8:00 AM, about 1 mile south of the refuge Visitor Center on Tabor Rd. The walk will finish at 10:00 am. Registration is not required.
Bird Walk with the Refuge Manager
Join the Missisquoi NWR Refuge Manager, Ken Sturm, for this spring bird walk on the refuge. Ken will lead a group to survey what birds are utilizing the habitats along the Old Railroad Passage Trail. This walk is appropriate for birders of all skill levels. Meet at the trailhead parking lot at 8:00 AM, about 1 mile south of the refuge Visitor Center on Tabor Rd. The walk will finish at 10:00 AM. Registration is not required.
Birding Paddle on the Missisquoi
The Friends of Missisquoi NWR and The Northern Forest Canoe Trail will join forces to offer an afternoon of paddling, birdwatching, and learning on the Missisquoi River. This event is planned in conjunction with World Migratory Bird Day weekend and is appropriate for paddlers and birders of all skill levels. Meet at 2:00 PM at the Mac’s Bend parking area (go through the gate at Louie’s Landing and drive about 1 mile north along the river). The paddle will finish by 5:00 PM. We will cancel for inclement weather. Registration is required.
Beginning Bird Walk
Bring Mom out for Mother’s Day and join the Friends of Missisquoi NWR for a relaxing morning of birding geared specifically for beginners. This walk will be held on the Discovery Trail. Meet at the Refuge Visitor Center on Tabor Road at 9:00 AM. Binoculars will be available for use. Please register in advance for this walk.
Bi-monthly Board Meeting
email info@friendsofmissisquoi.org if you’d like to attend via Zoom. Members are always welcome & encouraged to attend.
Bi-monthly Board Meeting
email info@friendsofmissisquoi.org if you’d like to attend via Zoom. Members are always welcome & encouraged to attend.
Bi-monthly Board Meeting
email info@friendsofmissisquoi.org if you’d like to attend via Zoom. Members are always welcome & encouraged to attend.
Monthly Bird Monitoring Walk
Friends board members and birders extraordinaire Ken Copenhaver and Julie Filiberti lead the walks on various refuge trails beginning at 8 am on the third Saturday of each month (except for December and May, when it is on the 2nd Saturday). The purpose of the walks is to gather long-term data on the presence of birds, their abundance, and changes in populations. Observations are entered into the Vermont eBird database. These walks are appropriate for birders of all skill levels and provide a wonderful opportunity to learn about birds throughout the seasons. Registration for the walks is not required.
Bi-monthly Board Meeting
email info@friendsofmissisquoi.org if you’d like to attend via Zoom. Members are always welcome & encouraged to attend.
Bi-monthly Board Meeting
email info@friendsofmissisquoi.org if you’d like to attend via Zoom. Members are always welcome & encouraged to attend.
Bi-monthly Board Meeting
email info@friendsofmissisquoi.org if you’d like to attend via Zoom. Members are always welcome & encouraged to attend.
Monthly Bird Monitoring Walk
Friends board members and birders extraordinaire Ken Copenhaver and Julie Filiberti lead the walks on various refuge trails beginning at 8 am on the third Saturday of each month (except for December and May, when it is on the 2nd Saturday). The purpose of the walks is to gather long-term data on the presence of birds, their abundance, and changes in populations. Observations are entered into the Vermont eBird database. These walks are appropriate for birders of all skill levels and provide a wonderful opportunity to learn about birds throughout the seasons. Registration for the walks is not required.
Monthly Bird Monitoring Walk
Friends board members and birders extraordinaire Ken Copenhaver and Julie Filiberti lead the walks on various refuge trails beginning at 8 am on the third Saturday of each month (except for December and May, when it is on the 2nd Saturday). The purpose of the walks is to gather long-term data on the presence of birds, their abundance, and changes in populations. Observations are entered into the Vermont eBird database. These walks are appropriate for birders of all skill levels and provide a wonderful opportunity to learn about birds throughout the seasons. Registration for the walks is not required.
Bi-monthly Board Meeting
email info@friendsofmissisquoi.org if you’d like to attend via Zoom. Members are always welcome & encouraged to attend.