Refuge Manager’s Update May 2026
The month of May is always a busy time at the refuge. Aside from getting ready for the field season, we also work with the Friends of Missisquoi to host our annual World Migratory Bird Day event. More details about the event are in the newsletter, but it was amazing to see the support from the public and volunteer trail leaders that help to make this year’s event a complete success. It was also amazing to see the support from the art community by submitting wildlife art for viewing at the Missisquoi Art Show at the refuge Visitors Center. If you are walking a trail, be sure to come into the Visitors Center to see the beautiful photography and art highlighting our local wildlife. I especially want to thank local artist Jon Young who taught three painting classes to over 60 participants! Thank you all who made that weekend a great success!
As spring turns into summer, our staff are busy with the multitude of projects which can only be done during this time of year. Our biologist, Judy, has been quite busy conducting a variety of inventory and monitoring projects, including a survey for the Eastern meadowlark, a grassland bird which has declined by more than 95% in the last 50 years. For those birders out there walking the Discovery Trail or the beginning of the Railroad Passage trail, it is quite possible that will get you that meadowlark for your year list, if you do not have one already.
We are also working with a SUNY Plattsburg student this summer who is working with the refuge to evaluate two different methods of monitoring grassland bird populations. One method is our traditional point count protocol and the other is a transect protocol using a GIS App called QuickCapture. The transect method is be- ing used by some organizations like the Bobolink Project for monitoring field use by bobolinks and other grassland bird species. The refuge would like to evaluate the resulting data from both methods and evaluate the effort and disturbance caused from both methods.
For any visitors to the Discovery Trail this June, you will notice some work occurring that will help improve accessibility. During the weeks of June 8th and June 15th we will have a crew refurbishing the grassland portion of the trail. New weed barrier cloth and gravel will be placed along the length of the trail and drainage issues will be addressed. Other planned work includes upgrading ramps to the boardwalks, so the grade makes it easier for wheelchairs and other visitors to access. During this time some or all of the Discovery Trail will be closed to the public, so please plan accordingly and explore one of our other trails on the refuge.
Lastly, I want to mention that the refuge has been given the green light to move ahead with a project to convert our Maintenance Shop office space into living quarters for interns and volunteers. The space is currently unused and, due to staff reductions, is unlikely to be needed for refuge employees soon. However, we do need extra help during the field season and having a place for interns and volunteers to live during the field season will be a great use of this space. We plan to work with the Friends of Missisquoi to help us convert this area into living quarters this fall and winter. Hopefully by this time next year I will be updating everyone on who will be staying in our new quarters for the 2027 field season!
by Ken Sturm, Refuge Manager, Missisquoi NWR