I would like invite all my Geocaching friends to stop by the Visitor Center on Saturday, August 16, 2014, between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM, for some fun and games, camaraderie and good food. And hopefully, we will have some interesting learning experiences, too!
The interactive displays in the Visitor Center will be available to use during the day. And you may also chose to enjoy the interesting presentations by my fellow Master Naturalists about the refuge.
With more than 4700 acres of diverse habitats including sandy beach and dune, cranberry bog, maritime forest and shrub land, and freshwater marsh and over 300 species of birds and additional species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and plants.... there is plenty to talk about!
~ Schedule of Events ~
11:00 – 12:00 Gather at the Visitor Center to meet and greet and have a snack! This is a potluck event so all food and drink donations will be more than welcome! You will find us in the large classroom beyond the Auditorium. Look for the signs!
~ Sign the event log
~ Pick up your GeoQuest Trail Contest Worksheet – It takes more than an hour to find all eight waypoints, so if you want to get a jumpstart on the GeoQuest Trail, here is a link to the worksheet: http://www.fws.gov/uploadedFiles/geoquestworksheetaug2013(1).pdf
~ Grab a door prize ticket for the drawing (you must be present to win)
*** Presentations in the Auditorium ***
12:00 - Highlights of Plum Island - Part 2 – by Gerard Brown – Master Naturalist
12:30 – “Beach Bugs” – by Chaffee Monell – Master Naturalist
1:00 – Shipwrecks of Plum Island – by Mark Quarantiello – Master Naturalist
2:30 – Time for Door Prize drawings and GeoQuest Trail Contest Prize awards!
*** On-going Demonstrations OUTDOORS ***
Learn how to use your GPS receiver and bring your questions about your GPS, the Geocaching website, or Geocaching in general. There will be volunteers on hand to help you sort it all out.
GeoQuest Trail Contest - Once you have learned the basics of GPS navigation, you are welcome to try out your newfound skills on the Refuge’s GeoQuest Trail! You will learn some interesting facts about this national wildlife refuge and visit some of its most beautiful location. And if you accumulate enough points, you may win a prize!
You will receive points for each correct answer – equivalent to the number of the Stop. (Example: You will receive 5 points for answering the question at Stop No. 5)
Answer all of the questions on the GeoQuest Trail Worksheet and also receive a Junior Refuge Manager Badge from the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge!
The GeoQuest Trail was created and updated last year by PRNWR Volunteer Richard Grey. Special thanks to Richard for doing such a good job. All of the waypoints are in great shape and ready for our event!
And please note, the GeoQuest Trail waypoints are not registered with Geocaching.com so there will be no smilies earned from GC.com for finding them. But I can guarantee you will have a smile on your face if you visit these beautiful locations!
For those of you who will be visiting for the first time, I can assure you that you will have a greater appreciation and knowledge of Parker River National Wildlife Refuge by the end of the day. And for those of you who attended our first event, last year, there will be plenty of new things to learn and do!
This will be a potluck event, so all food and drink donations will be most welcome! Please let me know what you are planning to bring by including it in your "Will Attend" log. We will be gathering in a large classroom that has a long counter and plenty of outlets for hot plates and crock pots.
And don't forget... you will get a special "International Geocaching Day" souvenir for your cache page from Groundspeak for logging your attendance at this event!
Hope you can join us!
~ Additional Refuge Information ~ PLEASE remember to stay on the boardwalks and stay out of “Closed Areas.” Also please note: A daily entrance fee of $5/car is in effect year-round at the Plum Island section of the refuge where the GeoQuest Trail is located. Annual passes are available for $20 at refuge headquarters and the entrance gatehouse when staffed. Dogs are not allowed on the refuge. Rest rooms are located in Parking Lots 1 and 4 as well as at the refuge maintenance area and are wheelchair accessible.