One travel company sticking to its commitment to affordable travel, Austin-Lehman Adventures (ALA), set its rates last year and they’re holding to these in 2008, even though the cost of gas, lodging and meals, among others, has sky-rocketed.
”This makes traveling with one of our small groups to, for example, British Columbia, a value compared to piecing the same components together by you,” says Dan Austin, founding partner and Director.
“But there is some fleece, the warm fuzzy kind, involved,” he says. “We’re giving away fleece vests to folks who book any of our Canadian adventures from now through the end of May. The North End “all climate wear” vest retails for $65.”
“We’re using this as a booking incentive to remind folks that you need not cross an ocean for a truly exotic vacation with an international feel,” he says.
Matt Delany, the companys British Columbia specialist, says that this easy-to-access, culturally and naturally textured region is an emerging destination for ALA who specializes in immersive, multi sport adventures for families and adults.
His favorite highlights on trips in and around the Whistler region include:
- Hiking through the coastal temperate rainforest into Joffre Lakes to witness the hanging Matier Glacier melting into aquamarine waters of the lake below.
- Rafting the Elaho River in the Paradise Valley, fed by cascades and waterfalls from four pristine glacial systems.
- Gazing out from the alpine heights of Whistler to the distant Coastal Range, surrounded by massive ice fields, towering peaks and vibrant wild flowers.
For details please see Whistler British Columbia Wilderness Adventure and Whistler Family Mountains, Meadows & Wildlife Adventure .
Another one of ALAs BC destinations is Vancouver Island. The programs include kayaking, biking, wine-tasting and touring the world-class Butchart Gardens in Victoria. Follow these links to: Vancouver Island Beaches, Black Bears, & Boreal Forests and Vancouver Island Family Northwest Family Adventure.
All of these 6-day / 5-night multi-sport vacations that combine adventure with high-end accommodations are fully guided and nearly all-inclusive. The per person, double occupancy rates, exclusive of air to/from Vancouver (Whistler trips) or Victoria (Vancouver Island trips), start at $1,998 with child and single supplements available.
ALA manages all of the arrangements in its selected destinations. Small groups are held at just 12 guests with a generous 1:6 guide-to-guest ratio. Rates include first-class accommodations, meals, expert guides, all necessary equipment, entry fees, ground transportation and more.
Austin-Lehman Adventures (ALA) is also the go-to company for planning and setting up a private, custom vacation throughout the Americas and Southern Africa.
To get a copy of the 2008 catalog as well as information on ALAs 40 unique luxury, multisport, adult and family active adventure travel itineraries call toll-free 1.800.575.1540, or e-mail info@austinlehman.com. To review current trips, schedules and itineraries you can log onto www.austinlehman.com.
Source: Widness & Wiggins PR
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
For the fisherman at heart, what could be better than hanging out with the boys, casting your reel, kicking back with a drink in hand and waiting for the perfect catch? Add in a boat trip along B.C.’s rugged coastline, staying in a 110-foot luxury boat with nothing but gourmet food, cigars, a hot tub, and plenty of fish to be caught, and you have the “Guys Ultimate Fishing Getaway.” Ocean Explorer Sportfishing’s three-night “Guys Ultimate Fishing Getaway” package is priced at $2929 USD per person and includes roundtrip airfare from Vancouver International Airport, single stateroom accommodation, meals, Cuban cigars, guides, fishing gear and bait.
Available from from June through September, the 110-foot MV Ocean Explorer takes the boys and their tackle through the famed Inside Passage between Port Hardy and Prince Rupert, depending on where the fish are biting. Four fully rigged 17-foot skiffs take keen fisherman directly from anchorage to the top secret fishing spots along the coast. Whether it’s trophy chinook salmon, king-size halibut, northern coho, dungeness crab, jumbo prawns, lingcod or red snapper you’re after, the crew aboard the Ocean Explorer guarantees your catch or the next trip is free!
While taking a break from fishing, the boys are invited to climb into one of the kayaks provided to explore the nearby inlets and bays and watch for some of the local wildlife that inhabit the area. Pristine water, towering mountains, deep fjords and a temperate climate make the area prime habitat for bald eagles, whales, dolphins and sea lions.
The only fishing experience of this kind in the area, the Ocean Explorer boasts nine private staterooms, lounge, a state-of-the-art galley and hot tub ensuring all the luxuries of a home away from home. After a long day on the open water, the men are welcomed with the culinary talents of Executive Chef David Weslowsky. David, the on board chef, serves up unforgettable meals that feature the finest and freshest of Pacific seafood, fruits and vegetables and fresh baked pastries. After a gourmet meal, the “Guys Ultimate Fishing Getaway” is wrapped up with all hands on deck for a nice long soak in the hot tub under the stars and to share fish stories.
For more information or reservations for the “Ultimate Guys Fishing Getaway” package, call Adventure West Resorts at 1-877-GO-WEST (1-877-346-9378) or visit www.adventurewestresorts.com/ocean.
Adventure West Resorts is a multi-faceted destination experience provider that delivers an authentic Canadian adventure. Experience the unexpected with Ocean Explorer Sportfishing, Adventure Fjord Heli-skiing and Elkin Creek Guest Ranch. For more information and reservations, call 1-877-3-GO-WEST (1-877-346-9378) or visit www.adventurewestresorts.com.
Source: Ki Communications
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Every successful person has an insatiable thirst for challenge. Much more than just a motivation, it’s who they are. They satisfy that thirst in boardrooms and at negotiating tables, in backcountry ski bowls, on fairways and in personal goals. The more adventurous even take it a step further, spending their free time challenging themselves by taking it up a notch in the grand and awe-filled theater of nature. On their behalf, the legendary travel company Abercrombie & Kent has created an entirely new portfolio of 15 Extreme Adventures.
Forget your preconceptions of “adventure travel.” These expeditions blow the lid off the box by combining the most spectacular regions, the finest wilderness guides and A&K’s trademark mix of privileged access, air-tight organization and outstanding service. The result is nothing short of extraordinary: a collection of expeditions in the true Amundsen, Hillary, Shackleton and Burton sense of the word, all guaranteed to take you to the outer boundary of experience and, in the process, to the edge of yourself.
It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves.
…Edmund Hillary
Shut your eyes just for a moment and imagine the taiga forest in Northern Norway, the silence broken only by the scrape of the runners as you lean your sled into the turns, guiding your team of five dogs as they bound and bark their way through a world still with snow. Feel your heart race as you click your harness closed and settle back in the cockpit of a fighter jet, bracing for the G-forces from a vertical climb to 60,000 feet. Imagine standing on a glacier hundreds of miles from the nearest road, surrounded by a colony of 15,000 Emperor penguins. Consider the look on your son’s face as you turn the safari clock back a hundred years, walking along, and floating down, Tanzania’s wild Rufigi River.
“How many things have you done that you know, with absolute certainty, you will remember for the rest of your life? In the end, that’s what these experiences are all about,” says Peter Boese, vice president of Extreme Adventures, “providing the kind of memories that change the way you think about the world.”
“We each interpret ‘challenge’ in different ways,” Boese continues. “Test your mettle against the implacable forces of nature in the mountains or the desert, harness the raw power of thoroughbred machines and open the door to the most awe-inspiring places on Earth.”
The first of these extraordinary new adventures will begin in the fall 2008, starting with an Extreme Safari on foot in the Selous, Africa’s largest protected wilderness and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Challenge yourself with Mountain Trekking to Everest Base Camp or climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Follow in the footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia on Desert Expeditions in Egypt and Jordan. Satisfy your need for speed in South Africa with Man & Machine Extreme. Meet nature at its most challenging by Conquering the Final Degree and skiing to the South Pole.
Abercrombie & Kent guides are experienced, educated and supremely qualified. Their first priority is your safety. They have mastered the necessary bush and survival skills, and know how to keep you motivated in tough conditions to bring out your best.
With Extreme Adventures, Abercrombie & Kent comes full circle. Its pioneering tented safaris were born from an insatiable desire to experience the world in ways that few dare, to consistently deliver journeys that defy all expectations. When you find yourself at the ends of the earth, you want exceptional experience, knowledge, skills, support and reputation at your back.
For details on these trips and the specific challenges offered, go to www.akextremeadventures.com.
About Abercrombie & Kent (A&K):
Born as a safari outfitter in 1962, A&K’s unparalleled travel services now extend around the globe to more than one hundred countries on all seven continents. The company built its award-winning reputation by being the first to bring unexpected comforts and amenities to remote destinations. Small group or tailor made private travel with A&K combines the convenience, service and security of a U.S.-based company with support 24/7 from a network of 50 on-site offices that ensure “by invitation only” access to inspiring experiences in A&K’s personalized, low-profile and intelligent style. www.abercrombiekent.com
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Epicurean Travel - Exploring a Destination Through Its Wine and Cuisine
Do you eat to live or are you one of us who lives to eat? There’s a lot you can learn about a country and a culture through its food and wine. Be adventurous! Try it all - from snails and candied fungi to jellyfish and grasshoppers. The taste may be as good as the stories you’ll have to tell! Here are some 5-star epicurean adventures to die for:
British Columbia - Okanagan Valley: Canada’s Wine Country
What better way to toast a day of hiking and biking amidst stunning vistas, meandering riverside pathways and hillside vineyards than with a glass of the finest local wine? How about making the toast while soaking in an outdoor hot tub? Austin-Lehman’s Okanagan Wine Country adventure vacation was named one of the “World’s 25 Best New Trips for 2007” by National Geographic Adventure Magazine. BC’s Okanagan Valley, aptly dubbed the “Napa of the North,” has yet to be widely discovered. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, it’s been called one of the finest grape growing regions in the world - and an ideal setting for an active 6-day wine tasting adventure. Click HERE for more information
A Taste of Argentina: The Adventurous Cook’s Tour
Cook and eat your way through Argentina with Myths and Mountains! Discover a world of wines and gourmet food in South America’s hottest destination. Join renowned gastronomist Alejandro Frango for an appetizing round of in-depth culinary workshops in Buenos Aires. There’s also wine-tastings in Mendoza and dinner at one of the top 10 restaurants in the world. It’s a spicy sampling of empenadas and mate teas, parillas and asados, Malbecs and Merlots. Add a dash of hiking and horseback riding in the Andes to whet up an appetite for this tasty adventure! Click HERE for more information.
France: La Provence Complete (Cycling Adventure)
Sun-drenched Provence, land of endless pleasures, is the ideal choice for an indulgent epicurean get-away from EURO-Bike & Walking Tours. Enjoy charming market towns, world-renowned cuisine, majestic landscapes, and some of Europe’s most beguiling hotels. Experience the famous wine regions of Cote du Rhone, Gigondas, and Chateauneuf-du-Pape and indulge in a special dessert wine from the village of Beaumes-de-Venise. Bicycle on quiet farm roads surrounded by olive groves and vineyards, stopping at roadside attractions dating back to the Bronze Age. Then relax at exclusive hotels, savoring gourmet meals and outstanding local wines. Click HERE for more information. Ask about the special discounts on fall departures!
France: Provence - Pathways of the Impressionists (Walking Adventure)
Walkers on this trip brought to you by The Wayfarers, can step into foodie heaven with a symphony of flavors created by renowned Provencal Chef Edouard Loubet. The landscape that once inspired the impressionists now provides the essential ingredients for one of the top young chefs in Europe. Passionate about using only the freshest seasonal produce, Chef Loubet earned his first Michelin star by the time he was 25. During the trip, you will dine in the eponymous Restaurant Edouard Loubet at La Bastide de Capelongue - and enjoy the best of Provencal cuisine. Chef Loubet makes his own red and white wines which accompany the meal. Click HERE for more information.
Peru: Trekking to Machu Picchu - Lodge to Lodge
Now you can travel like Inca royalty and experience all the rave of Peru’s nuevoAndean cuisine at 12,000’ in the Andes with Wildland Adventures. The new Machu Picchu Mountain Lodges Trek is a 6-day luxury adventure that features a physical, cultural, and spiritual journey traversing ancient footpaths through the high Andes en route to the legendary ruins of Machu Picchu. Trekking from lodge to lodge you’ll enjoy the eclectic mix of Spanish, Arabic, African, and Asian influences that give rise to delicious Peruvian gastronomy paired with Peruvian, Chilean and Argentine wines. Click HERE for more information.
Croatia: Gourmet Delights Sailing the Dalmatian Coast
Explore Croatia’s charming island towns, isolated swimming coves and local vineyards and wineries with ROW Adventures. A seasoned Croatian guide and crew will fully immerse you in the local culture and history. Enjoy world renowned Dalmatian wines and Mediterranean cuisine on a vintage 11-day small yacht tour. Fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and seafood are paired with local wines for an epicure’s delight. Click HERE for more information.
Source: Trusted Adventures www.trustedadventures.com.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Americans’ favorite four-legged companions have evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry, as hotels and businesses throughout the world seem to be rolling out the red carpet for pet guests. Travelocity(R) travel insiders report that hotels in particular throughout the U.S. and abroad are cashing in by catering to the four-legged set.
Accommodating this exploding trend, Travelocity has compiled a list of pet-friendly places for travelers who can’t bear the thought of leaving Fido behind as well as a few animal-themed attractions for the wildlife lover.
“Travelocity found that one in four people travel with their pets, showing that this is a big part of the growing travel market,” said Amy Ziff, Travelocity’s editor-at-large. “Travelers are no longer limited to walking their dogs in the backyard or local park. Now the entire country can be their pets’ playground.”
With special menus, a kitty concierge, a doggy translator and more, Travelocity’s editor-at-large Amy Ziff names some of the best hotels for pet lovers and animal experiences in North America.
San Diego, CA: This spot tops the list as a year-round pet lover’s paradise. There are a number of pet friendly hotels, from the boutique Hotel Solamar to the W San Diego, which is part of the chain’s PAW (pets always welcome) practices and has special events like doggie happy hours and menus. But it’s not just the hotels that embrace animals — Sea World, with the legendary Shamu shows, swimming with Dolphins, shark encounters and more, tops the list for animal interaction. The San Diego Zoo’s animal park has a summer Roar N’ Snore overnight program where visitors can sleep in the park for extra access to the animals. There are also numerous pet-friendly beaches, dog-runs, salons, and restaurants.
Boston: Beantown has a reputation for making way for our furry and feathered friends with the Boston-based book Make Way for Ducklings. There are the Swan Boat Tours and the Boston Duck Tours which guarantee a view of the area’s more active feathery friends. Beyond the gardens and the commons, Boston has pet friendly hotels such as the Fairmont Copley plaza with a canine companion named Catie. For more animal sightings, visit the Franklin Park Zoo with gorillas, warthogs, Cotswald sheep, Pilgrim geese and more. Zoo details: http://www.zoonewengland.com/.
Chicago: It’s home to the Shedd Aquarium, the world’s largest indoor aquarium featuring Beluga Whales, Black Piranha and Leafy Dragons. It opened in 1930 and added the Oceanarium in 1991, nearly doubling its size. Enjoy a stay at the Hotel Monaco and partake in the Guppy Love program, which makes a Goldfish every guest’s companion for the duration of their stay. Or, consider a Canine cruise for dogs and their people, operating Sunday mornings June - September through Mercury skyline cruises at www.mercuryskylinecruiseline.com. Walk along Magnificent Mile, Lakefront Trail, or the Riverwalk Gateway to learn the city’s history.
Denver & The Mountains: Though the mile high city and surrounding mountains are welcoming to visitors of all kinds, remember to keep pets hydrated at high altitudes. The Monaco hotels in Denver have a line of pet paw-licies that detail special pet services from gourmet canine cuisine to massages and pet-sitting. The Teatro will serve pets food in a personally-monogrammed dish and walk them as needed. When in the mountains, try spotting elk, moose, deer, coyotes, cougars, black bear, hawks and more.
Miami / Ft. Lauderdale: Miami’s SoBe catwalk is full of pooch pride. Dine at the News Cafe with your furry friend or window shop. The Ritz-Carlton, Royal Palm and the Aqua welcome pets as well. Broward county, the Greater Fort Lauderdale area, boasts more than 70 pet-friendly hotels, numerous parks and recreation areas and even restaurants that cater to pets. For pet R&R, check them into the Camp Canine Country Club & Spa in Ft. Lauderdale or the Tail End Pet Resort & Spa in Davie. Pets dine on gourmet fare from Bone Appetit in Ft. Lauderdale or Three Dog Bakery in Plantation. There is even canine couture found at Tea Cups in Hollywood.
New York City: Home to the most notorious of dog shows, the city is over-run with dog lovers each winter for Westminster. From Central Park to Battery Park and Hudson River Park to Washington Square Park, dog runs are as common as play grounds in Manhattan. Visit www.urbanhound.com for the low-down on playing with pets in the city. Visit the famous Central Park zoo featured in Madagascar and the bigger Bronx Zoo as well. Hotels like 70 Park, the Muse, the Affinia 50 (and all other 8 Affinia properties in Manhattan) as well as the five W hotels all welcome pets. The Affinia hotels run a Jet Set Pet program with a special welcome and extensive list of services whereas the W’s offer signature programs including robes (for you and your pet), treats, and a Where-to-Woof guide of dog parks, groomers and pet boutiques.
San Francisco: Take pets to the Golden Gate Park Dog Run, Mountain Lake Park or the Presidio. Even enjoy a jog at Baker Beach, Fort Funston or Ocean Beach — just be aware of the strictly enforced leash laws. Visitors and their pets can hop on and off the public transport while seeing the sites. Numerous local hotels such as the W San Francisco and the Kimpton hotels are pet friendly. Perhaps the most notable treatment is at the Fairmont where guests can sign up for the Doggy Translator which enhances pet communication.
Puerto Rico & Vieques: These destinations are a diver’s delight — for lovers of the deep blue ocean and all of the creatures beneath the water. Not only does the Caribbean offer coral reefs and brilliant fish, they have bioluminescent bays for nighttime dives as well. Bays can be brimming with phosphorescent single-cell animals that glow in the water when they are agitated or moved. Witness the phenomenon from two bays in Puerto Rico: Fajardo and Guarnica. In Vieques, the healthiest of the bio bays in the Caribbean is Mosquito Bay. Stay at Puerto Rico’s Normandie House.
Washington, DC: Even our nation’s capital welcomes pets. The White House has a history with animals from Calvin Coolidge’s pet raccoon that was purportedly walked on a leash to Woodrow Wilson’s herd of sheep. There have been gifts as outlandish as a herd of elephants and tiger cubs. So, it should come as no surprise that the Mall is a two-mile long playground for pets (although no pets are allowed IN the monuments). The city’s National Zoo is a great place to visit more than 2,400 kinds of animals. The city has numerous pet-friendly hotels including the Fairmont, Hotel Palomar, The Topaz, The Rouge, the Monaco and more.
Vancouver: Rover can roam the stunning city of Vancouver and enjoy many of the parks — even off leash! Local dog lovers have united to develop the Vancouver Dog Owners’ Association Web site with useful information including where and when to take pets to the park and which are leash free. Also check out the Doggy Style Deli on Denman Street specializing in a dog diet akin to “raw food.” Dine in or take out with meals that range from $2.50 - $6. There are many pet-friendly hotels including the Fairmont, The Delta Vancouver, The Sutton and the Metroplitan. At the Pacific Palisades Hotel, the V.I.Pets program welcomes dogs for free and offer biscuits, a Frisbee, pick-up bags, dog bowls and plenty of places to take pooches.
Even if Fido can’t come along, some great animal sightings, experiences, and festivals include:
— South Dakota Bear Country (Rapid City, SD)
— Ostrich Festival (Chandler, AZ)
— Camel Racing (Virginia City, NV)
— Sting Ray City (Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands)
— Sail with your pet on Cunard’s QM2
Travelocity’s editor-at-large also has a number of tips for traveling with pets:
— Check with your vet before traveling as it can be stressful to
furry friends. So, make sure it’s OK and they have what they
need (including a letter that documents they are up-to-date on
their shots and vaccinations).
— Be aware that while many hotels welcome pets, some charge
extra. The Fairmont’s fees are from $25-$40 and the W has a
$25 fee and a non-refundable $100 cleaning fee.
— Traveling with pets can be stressful so take care to acclimate
them. Bring items from home to comfort them. Consider Comfort
Zone’s spray & diffusers, for more information visit
www.petcomfortzone.com.
— If flying with a pet, make reservations in advance and get an
airline-approved container.
— For U.S. dog parks, visit
http://animal.discovery.com/features/dogpark/map/map.html.
— For pet forecasts, including the best time for walks, visit
www.weather.com.
For more information visit: www.travelocity.com/animals.
Source: Travelocity
Travelocity is committed to being the traveler’s champion — before, during and after the trip and guarantees everything about a customer’s booking will be right. If it’s not, Travelocity will work with its partners to make it right, right away. This customer-driven focus, backed by live 24/7 phone support, great prices and powerful shopping technology has made Travelocity the fifth largest travel agency in the U.S. — booking $7.4 billion in travel worldwide in 2005. Based in Southlake, Texas, Travelocity also owns and operates Travelocity Business(SM) and GetThere(R) for corporate travelers, lastminute.com, a leader in European online travel and ZUJI, a leader in Asia-Pacific online travel. Travelocity is owned by Sabre Holdings Corporation (NYSE:TSG), a world leader in travel commerce.
Want to bring your pet/dog along on your next vacation? Check out these websites listing pet-friendly accommodations and much more!
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
The National Wildlife Refuge System offers great locations and opportunities for families to celebrate Earth Day. From watching wildlife to volunteering on teams doing anything from weed control to helping restore a native prairie, there are plenty of ways to catch the Earth Day spirit at a national wildlife refuge.
“There’s no better way to connect with nature and celebrate the planet than spending the day at a national wildlife refuge,” said H. Dale Hall, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “In its 105 years, the National Wildlife Refuge System has grown into the world’s most extensive network of lands managed for wildlife. The system is a shining example of what Earth Day is about: joining together with neighbors to protect the natural environment for our health and benefit, as well as for future generations.”
Here are a few featured refuges and their events for Earth Day 2008
Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge
Smyrna, Delaware
http://www.fws.gov/northeast/bombayhook/
April 19, 2008
The Friends of Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge has sponsored an Earth Day cleanup for at least 15 years, removing old bottles and cans, fast food wrappers, plastic bags and other unsightly items from the along the roads leading up to the refuge. Refreshments will be served after the cleanup.
The 15,978-acre Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge protects one of the largest expanses of unbroken tidal marshes in the mid-Atlantic. It is known among birders as an international hotspot and has been recognized as one of America’s 100 Important Bird Areas by the American Bird Conservancy; 278 species of birds can be found on the refuge, 103 of which breed there. In addition, 34 species of mammals, including river otter, white-tailed deer, raccoon and red fox patrol the grounds.
Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge
Oceanville, NJ
http://www.fws.gov/northeast/forsythe/
Staff and volunteers at Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge will be leading cleanup efforts around the refuge’s Wildlife Drive. An afternoon educational program will highlight how the refuge protects, conserves and enhances habitat for local fish and wildlife and help visitors explore how to help the environment in their own backyards.
Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge protects more than 46,000 acres of southern New Jersey coastal habitats and wetlands. Extending for 50 miles along the coast, it includes two of the remaining undeveloped barrier beaches in the state. Some 322 species of birds have been observed on the refuge.
Union Slough National Wildlife
Titonka, IA
www.fws.gov/midwest/unionslough/
April 19, 2008
Union Slough National Wildlife will be hosting its 4th Annual Prairie Rescue Day on Earth Day. The event is an opportunity to help protect rare habitat by joining teams to remove the woody vegetation that is encroaching on the refuge’s remnant prairie. Volunteers will be treated to a meal courtesy of Friends of Union Slough. There will also be opportunities to observe migrating waterfowl and see early blooming prairie wildflowers.
Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1938 to provide a refuge and breeding ground for waterfowl and other migratory birds. The actual slough is all that remains of a pre-glacial riverbed, and its name is derived from the connection or “union” of two watersheds: the Blue Earth River of Minnesota and the East Fork of the Des Moines River. The 3,334-acre refuge is an island of tall grass prairie and wetland habitat surrounded by a sea of corn and soybean fields.
Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge
Nampa, ID
www.fws.gov/deerflat
April 19, 2008
“Litter’s not for critters” is the rallying cry for the annual Earth Day cleanup activities at Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge in southwestern Idaho. Teams of volunteers will be dispatched throughout the refuge to improve and maintain wildlife habitat by collecting trash and pulling noxious weeds.
About the Refuge
Nestled in the rolling sagebrush hills of southwest Idaho, the watery oasis at Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge provides an important breeding area for birds and other wildlife. The refuge is a significant resting and wintering area for birds migrating along the Pacific Flyway, including spectacular concentrations of mallards and Canada geese.
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
Folkston, GA
http://www.fws.gov/okefenokee/
April 19, 2008
Earth Day on Florida’s Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge will begin with a litter pick up along the highway that runs adjacent to the refuge. That will be followed by educational programs featuring ways people can make a difference in their local communities, habitat needs of red cockaded woodpeckers and the important role wildfire plays in maintaining Okefenokee’s natural habitat. A bicycle tour of staffed exhibits is also planned.
The largest National Wildlife Refuge in the eastern United States, Okefnokee National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1936 to preserve the 438,000 acres of Okefenokee Swamp. The swamp remains one of the oldest and most well preserved freshwater areas in America, extending 38 miles north to south and 25 miles east to west. Okefenokee is a European rendition of Native American words meaning “land of the trembling earth,” a reference to the unstable peat deposits that mark the vast bog that makes up much of the landscape.
Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge
Liberty, TX
www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=21593
April 19, 2008
Earth Day 2008 activities at Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge in southeastern Texas will include canoeing, kayaking and boating tours, bird and butterfly viewing, walking the levee trail, and dip netting and fishing lessons for kids.
The refuge totals 17,500 acres, protecting a slice of bottomland hardwood forest ecosystem along the Trinity River. The refuge, which is a remnant of what was once a much larger natural area, is a broad flat floodplain made up of numerous sloughs, oxbow lakes, artesian wells, and tributaries. Wildlife observation and photography opportunities abound at Trinity River. Annual counts have revealed more than 60 different species of butterflies and 275 bird species in the refuge.
John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge
Tinicum, PA
http://www.fws.gov/northeast/heinz/
April 12, 2008
The Earth Day cleanup at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge is part of the annual Darby Creek Cleanup activities that have been going on for more than two decades. Co-sponsored by the Friends of John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, the Darby Creek Valley Association and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the event regularly attracts up to 200 volunteers who scour low water points along the refuge to gather trash and other debris that have accumulated with the tides over the year. The event’s advertisements promise “We supply the equipment and lunch. You supply the muscle and enthusiasm.” Lunch, in the form of a cookout at the refuge’s Cusano Environmental Education Center, is provided courtesy of the Friends of John Heinz.
John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge protects Pennsylvania’s largest remaining freshwater tidal marsh, providing habitat to more than 300 species of birds, 85 of which nest on the refuge. Located within a short drive of a large urban area (and about a mile from Philadelphia International Airport), the refuge and its Cusano Environmental Education Center serve as living, hands-on classrooms for thousands of inner-city students and their teachers.
San Francisco National Wildlife Refuge Complex Environmental Education Center
San Jose, CA
http://www.fws.gov/desfbay/index.htm
The San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex’s Environmental Education Center in the San Jose area will have a number of Earth Day events.
The Slow the Flow Program is a well-established and popular environmental education opportunity for children in the south Bay Area. Activities and presentations will focus on the relationship between personal actions and their effects on the resources. The center staff expects to host a number of 5th graders to participate for Earth Day.
Also, the Wetland Round-Up Program is a popular, hands-on environmental education opportunity where students investigate butterflies at the San Francisco Bay Refuge Complex’s Environmental Education Center butterfly garden, taste pickleweed in the salt marsh and discover the wildlife that live in the slough water.
The Center is situated at the southern end of San Francisco Bay and is surrounded by uplands, salt marshes, salt ponds and freshwater tidal slough. An open pavilion, trails and a boardwalk through the salt marsh habitat make it easy to see and explore natural wonders of the South Bay.
The San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex is a collection of seven National Wildlife Refuges: Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge, Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Ellicott Slough National Wildlife Refuge, Farallon National Wildlife Refuge, Marin Islands National Wildlife Refuge, Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge, and San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Together, this network of refuges is devoted to preserving migratory birds, endangered species and other wildlife.
About the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov
Source: FWS
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".