Events Scheduled by Friends of the Cape May National Wildlife Refuge

WILDWOOD CREST —
Free, family-friendly Sat. bird and nature walks at Two Mile Beach set to resume May 14:
The friends of Cape May National Wildlife Refuge will once again be offering free, family-friendly bird and nature walks every Sat. morning starting at 9 a.m. beginning May 14, at the Two Mile Beach Unit of the Cape May NWR, located at 12001 Pacific Avenue (Ocean Drive), Wildwood Crest.
The public is invited to join us and learn about this amazing natural area, consisting of a rare maritime dune forest nestled between the untouched beach dunes and the salt marsh. Migrant and nesting song birds, as well as butterflies and dragonflies, are plentiful year-round. Native plants and trees that once covered the New Jersey barrier islands can also be found here.
Guided walks will leave from the Visitor’s Contact Station at 9 a.m. each Sat. morning, starting May 14. Free loaner binoculars and field guides will be provided. Fun nature activities, kid-sized binoculars, coloring sheets, and a scavenger hunt are also available free of charge for the kids! There free walks of approximately one mile in length will last about an hour and a half, and will be fun for novice and experienced birders alike. Families with children are welcome. Our trails are well-maintained and easy to walk, and some are wheelchair accessible.
No pre-registration is necessary. Meet us in the Visitor Center parking lot (the second lot on the left) on Loran Drive, which is just off Ocean Drive (Pacific Avenue) south of Wildwood Crest. You may wish to bring bug spray, sunscreen, and water. For more information or directions, email info@friendsofcapemayrefuge.org
Secret Life of the Dunes: free dune ecology series set for Sundays at Two Mile Beach:
How did our barrier islands get here? What unique animals and plants live there? How has the ecology of the dunes changed over the last two centuries, and what does the future hold for them? Get answers to these questions and many more on Thurs., Aug. 11 and Thurs., Aug. 25, at a program of free, family-friendly, multimedia and hands-on explorations of the barrier island ecosystems at the Two Mile Beach Unit of the Cape May National Wildlife Refuge.
These programs will explore how the dunes and barrier islands are formed, and focus on the animals and plants that live between the water’s edge and the first set of dunes. We’ll focus on the plants and animals of the dune shrublands and maritime forest, and discuss the future challenges to these unique ecosystems. These free programs, led by Dr. Ralph Boerner, will combine a dynamic lecture presentation and field trips through the dunes. Families with children are always welcome.
Register now for any of these programs, which are limited to 20 participants, by emailing info@friendsofcapemayrefuge.org. Meet in the Visitor Contact Station, 12001 Pacific Ave (Ocean Drive) in Wildwood Crest. The trails are well-maintained and easy to walk, and some are wheelchair accessible. Dress for the weather. Free loaner binoculars are available. You may wish to bring bug spray, sunscreen and water. Heavy rain will cancel these events.
Ghost crabs and mole crabs on the beach free program at Two Mile Beach, Thurs., Aug. 4 at 11 a.m.:
Ever wonder… what shorebirds feed their young? Why those little birds run around at the edge of the surf? Who keeps the beach clean? Who lives in those tidy holes on the beach and dunes? Find out by participating in the Friends of Cape May NWR’s Ghost and Mole Crab event at the Two Mile Beach unit on Thurs., Aug. 4, at 11 a.m. The program will start with a lecture and slide show in the Visitor Contact Station, then move to the beach, where’s we’ll try to discover more about some of the mysterious little critters who live there.
This special program will be led by Dr. Ralph Boerner. Register now for this free program, which is limited to 20 participants by emailing info@friendsofcapemayrefuge.org. The program is suitable for families with children. Meet in the Visitor Contact Station, 12001 Pacific Ave (Ocean Drive) in Wildwood Crest. Dress for the weather. You are encouraged to bring bug spray, sunscreen and water.
Ghost crabs and mole crabs on the beach free program at Two Mile Beach, Thurs., Aug. 18 at 11 a.m.:
Ever wonder… what shorebirds feed their young? Why those little birds run around at the edge of the surf? Who keeps the beach clean? Who lives in those tidy holes on the beach and dunes? Find out by participating in the Friends of Cape May NWR’s Ghost and Mole Crab event at the Two Mile Beach unit on Thurs., Aug. 18, at 11 a.m. The program will start with a lecture and slide show in the Visitor Contact Station, then move to the beach, where’s we’ll try to discover more about some of the mysterious little critters who live there.
This special program will be led by Dr. Ralph Boerner. Register now for this free program, which is limited to 20 participants by emailing info@friendsofcapemayrefuge.org. The program is suitable for families with children. Meet in the Visitor Contact Station, 12001 Pacific Ave (Ocean Drive) in Wildwood Crest. Dress for the weather. You are encouraged to bring bug spray, sunscreen and water.
Ghost crabs and mole crabs on the beach free program at Two Mile Beach, Thurs., Sept. 1 at 11 a.m.:
Ever wonder… what shorebirds feed their young? Why those little birds run around at the edge of the surf? Who keeps the beach clean? Who lives in those tidy holes on the beach and dunes? Find out by participating in the Friends of Cape May NWR’s Ghost and Mole Crab event at the Two Mile Beach unit on Thurs., Sept. 1, at 11 a.m. The program will start with a lecture and slide show in the Visitor Contact Station, then move to the beach, where’s we’ll try to discover more about some of the mysterious little critters who live there.
This special program will be led by Dr. Ralph Boerner. Register now for this free program, which is limited to 20 participants by emailing info@friendsofcapemayrefuge.org. The program is suitable for families with children. Meet in the Visitor Contact Station, 12001 Pacific Ave (Ocean Drive) in Wildwood Crest. Dress for the weather. You are encouraged to bring bug spray, sunscreen and water.
Ghost crabs and mole crabs on the beach free program at Two Mile Beach, Sun., Sept. 11 at 11 a.m.:
Ever wonder… what shorebirds feed their young? Why those little birds run around at the edge of the surf? Who keeps the beach clean? Who lives in those tidy holes on the beach and dunes? Find out by participating in the Friends of Cape May NWR’s Ghost and Mole Crab event at the Two Mile Beach unit on Sun., Sept. 11, at 11 a.m. The program will start with a lecture and slide show in the Visitor Contact Station, then move to the beach, where’s we’ll try to discover more about some of the mysterious little critters who live there.
This special program will be led by Dr. Ralph Boerner. Register now for this free program, which is limited to 20 participants by emailing info@friendsofcapemayrefuge.org. The program is suitable for families with children. Meet in the Visitor Contact Station, 12001 Pacific Ave (Ocean Drive) in Wildwood Crest. Dress for the weather. You are encouraged to bring bug spray, sunscreen and water.
Third Thursdays, plein air painting class: interpreting nature through art set for Sept. 15:
Join Friends of Cape May National Wildlife Refuge on Thurs., Sept. 15, at the Two Mile Beach Visitor Contact Station, 12001 Pacific Ave (Ocean Dr), Wildwood Crest, for the next in a series of monthly outdoor painting workshops led by local artist Janet McShain. Janet, a graduate of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, specializes in “plein air”; watercolor painting. “En plein air” is a phrase used to describe the act of painting outdoors. Sessions will run from 12:30-3:30 p.m. on the third Thurs. of each month. Space is limited to 15 people. Please pre-register before each session by emailing: info@friendsofcapemayrefuge.org.
Feel free to come early and bring lunch or a snack; we will provide coffee, tea and water. Bring your own equipment, or feel free to borrow some of ours. We have paints, brushes, paper and other materials for you to borrow. If the weather permits, we will be doing our sketching and painting outdoors, so dress for the weather. In case of inclement weather, we can work inside or under the covered front porch with a view of the Refuge. You may wish to bring a lightweight folding chair and some sunscreen or a hat for sun protection.
These workshops are suitable for beginners or experienced adult painters. Painting at the Refuge will give you an opportunity to study and appreciate the beauty of this special place. The Two Mile Beach Unit of the Refuge offers opportunities to view barrier island habitat, maritime forest, tidal ponds, and beachfront, all within steps of each other. The unit offers views of undisturbed beach habitat which is used by beach-nesting birds and thousands of migrating shorebirds. Janet will help you create a lasting memory of your visits here. We will hopefully build toward seasonal art shows, with paintings displayed on the walls of the Visitor Contact Station.
Full moon family nature walk, Sat., Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m.:
Join our volunteer guides and interpreters on Sat. evening, Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m. at the Two Mile Beach Visitor Contact Station as they lead another in a series of Full Moon Family Nature Walks!
Once a month, as the full moon glows, it seems safe to venture out into the dark while the moon makes shadows. You can still smell the earth, feel the wind, hear the ocean roar, and sense the wildlife. Friends of Cape May NWR will offer a “Walk by the Light of the Moon” series of interpretive walks during spring and summer. The purpose of these walks is to provide a family oriented activity that introduces visitors to the natural history of the Refuge. Through this introduction we hope to foster an understanding and appreciation for these resources that will lead visitors toward stewardship of their public lands in Cape May County.
Full Moon Walks will be held each month on a Saturday night close to the official full moon and will begin at varying times depending on the season. Most walks will last about an hour and a half, and will cover approximately one mile in length. Bring a flashlight or headlamp (although after our eyes become accustomed to the dark, we won’t be needing them), and dress for the weather. Remember, it’s often cooler and windier near the beach, so try to dress in layers. Free loaner binoculars will be available while supplies last, or you can bring your own. A few telescopes will also be available for upclose viewing of the moon, stars and planets.
This program is free and open to the public, and is especially suitable for families with children. After the program, the public is invited to relax and warm up with coffee, tea and hot chocolate at the newly-opened Nature Store at Two Mile. Please meet at the Visitors Contact Station at the Two Mile Beach Unit of Cape May National Wildlife Refuge, 12001 Pacific Ave (Ocean Dr), Wildwood Crest, near the former Coast Guard Loran Station. Heavy rain cancels the event.
Full moon family nature walk, Sat., Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m.:
Join our volunteer guides and interpreters on Sat. evening, Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Two Mile Beach Visitor Contact Station as they lead another in a series of Full Moon Family Nature Walks!
Once a month, as the full moon glows, it seems safe to venture out into the dark while the moon makes shadows. You can still smell the earth, feel the wind, hear the ocean roar, and sense the wildlife. Friends of Cape May NWR will offer a “Walk by the Light of the Moon” series of interpretive walks during spring and summer. The purpose of these walks is to provide a family oriented activity that introduces visitors to the natural history of the Refuge. Through this introduction we hope to foster an understanding and appreciation for these resources that will lead visitors toward stewardship of their public lands in Cape May County.
Full Moon Walks will be held each month on a Saturday night close to the official full moon and will begin at varying times depending on the season. Most walks will last about an hour and a half, and will cover approximately one mile in length. Bring a flashlight or headlamp (although after our eyes become accustomed to the dark, we won’t be needing them), and dress for the weather. Remember, it’s often cooler and windier near the beach, so try to dress in layers. Free loaner binoculars will be available while supplies last, or you can bring your own. A few telescopes will also be available for upclose viewing of the moon, stars and planets.
This program is free and open to the public, and is especially suitable for families with children. After the program, the public is invited to relax and warm up with coffee, tea and hot chocolate at the newly-opened Nature Store at Two Mile. Please meet at the Visitors Contact Station at the Two Mile Beach Unit of Cape May National Wildlife Refuge, 12001 Pacific Ave (Ocean Dr), Wildwood Crest, near the former Coast Guard Loran Station. Heavy rain cancels the event.