Necedah National Wildlife Refuge to host Refuge Week in September

NECEDAH – This year, Necedah will be celebrating National Wildlife Refuge Week in September rather than the traditional time during the second week of October. There are expanded offerings this year, both off and on the refuge. Events are free and open to the public.
The week will begin on Sunday, Sept. 20 at 3 p.m. with Outreach Day, presented by Central Waters Brewery and Friends of Necedah National Wildlife Refuge. Necedah National Wildlife Refuge biologist Brad Strobel and Public Lands ecologist Mark Pfost will offer a lecture on the restoration of the Little Yellow River Watershed in the Central Waters Brewery Community Room, located at 351 Allen St. in Amherst.
Wednesday, Sept. 23 will be Senior Day, presented by the Adams County ADRC and Friends of Necedah NWR. The program, “Absolutely Batty,” will be hosted by Matt Rupnik and live animal ambassador bats of Marsh Haven Nature Center, and provide attendees with the opportunity to learn about the importance of bats and the different types living in Wisconsin. A lunch will be served following the presentation. For reservations, call Donna Richards with the Adams County ADRC at 608-339-4251.
Next is Friend’s Day on Thursday, Sept. 24. The Friends of Necedah NWR will host wildlife biologist Angie Dedrickson for a presentation on the wildlife surveys taken at the refuge in the last year. It will include information on whooping cranes, Blanding’s turtles, Karner blue butterflies and bees. Lunch will follow.
The National Wildlife Refuge Week celebrations will end on Saturday, Sept. 26 with a Family Day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., where attendees can enjoy a touch tank of aquatic critters with Cristina Dahl of the Midwest Fisheries Center, learn to tie flies and give them a try with Larry Schmidt and explore an interactive bat display with Junior Ranger Phoenix Von Ruden.
Kathy KasaKaitas of the Coulee Humane Society will present live animal fun from 10:30-11:30 a.m. and 1-2 p.m., with a limit of 60 people per presentation. Call 608-565-2551 to reserve a spot. Donna Richards and Emily Ritter will host bird hikes at 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., respectively.
There will be kids’ fishing games and crafts available throughout the day, including casting, types of equipment, fish-printing on bandanas and more. Breakfast and lunch pizza slices will be available for purchase while supplies last.