The eagles are back, the cypress trees are turning bronze in color, and the weather is great! It is a beautiful time of year to be on the refuge.

Come join the staff and Friends of St. Catherine Creek National Wildlife Refuge as we celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week by hosting “Refuge Day” on Saturday, at the refuge office located at 21 Pintail Lane near Sibley.

From 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. there will be special activities, food and drink that will entertain and educate participants of all ages.

Activities include guided canoe trips, black bear information and games, a photography contest and walk, pond discovery stations, GPS and waterfowl information stations and a drug education station.

The food and activities are all free!

Refuge staff will be leading guided canoe trips at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. through cypress-filled Gilliard Lake, truly one of the most beautiful lakes in the Miss-Lou. Be prepared to see centuries-old cypress trees, alligators, egrets and a number of other birds. This is always one of the most popular events so call to reserve a canoe: 601-442-6696.

The threatened Louisiana black bear is an interesting, native animal whose local populations are making an incredible recovery due to protection, education, and habitat development. Learn what it is like to be a black bear at the black bear obstacle course and how biologists track their movements at the black bear information station.

Staff and friends will be guiding participants on a tour of the Hidden Pond through a microscope and underwater scopes.

Come see what tiny creatures can be found in the pond and look below the surface into the underwater world.

Friends will be leading a photography walk at 9 a.m. A wildlife photo contest will be judged and on display. Submit photos in the youth and adult categories by 9 a.m. Saturday to be included in the contest.

The Refuge Forester, who helps teach GPS at our National Training Center, will be teaching basic GPS skills at 11 a.m. and providing information throughout the day.

The Refuge Biologist will be discussing and answering questions on various topics with waterfowl habitat management field tours at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Our refuge law enforcement officer will be showing films, providing information, and answering questions about drug awareness.

Ongoing activities including the “Animal Olympics,” butterfly garden, and Magnolia National Recreation Trail are all open for the public to view and use.

The refuge is easy to find and only 20 minutes from downtown Natchez. To get to the refuge office from Natchez, head south on U.S. 61 for about 12 miles. Turn right on York Road (Sibley) for 2 miles. Turn left onto Pintail Lane for 0.1 mile. Call 601-442-6696 for information and canoe reservations.

National Wildlife Refuge Week (Oct. 10-16) is an annual event to especially encourage visitors to experience refuges. St. Catherine Creek NWR is part of a system of 553 national wildlife refuges and 38 Wetland Management Districts dedicated to the protection of the nation’s natural resources, but also offers a range of wildlife dependent recreation.

Each year about 42 million Americans discover the wonders of nature by visiting a wildlife refuge for fishing, hunting, environmental education, wildlife observation, wildlife photography and interpretive activities.

Join us for fun, food and adventure as you discover what your local national wildlife refuge has to offer!

Bob Strader is the refuge manager at St. Catherine Creek Nation Wildlife Refuge.