Join Teddy Roosevelt at National Wildlife Refuge Week

Depiction of Teddy Roosevelt on safari  in Africa

Back in 1903 U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt mandated an executive order to establish the very first National Wildlife Refuge, now known as 'The Ding.' With 562 of these conservation areas in existence today there is much to celebrate, and October 12 – 18 is National Wildlife Refuge Week. Actor Joe Wiegand will come to Hilton Head and Savannah this weekend to portray Roosevelt, known as the Father of the refuge system.

              

On Saturday October 11 the 2014 celebration will focus on Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge in Beaufort County. Located on Highway 278 just west of Hilton Head this refuge was established in 1975 when it was donated to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The 4000-acre property once belonged to Major General Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, a prominent lawyer and political figure.

            

With two-thirds of the refuge consisting of salt marsh there is a large presence of birds including waterfowl, neo-tropical songbirds and raptors too. The refuge is bounded by Skull Creek on the east, Mackay Creek on the west and Port Royal Sound. The ‘Wander Wild at Pinckney’ event is free and runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will include nature hikes, bird banding demos, bird watching, photography tips and wagon rides. Don't forget that Roosevelt will be on hand all day!

            
Then on Sunday October 12 a very special riverboat cruise will commence at the Savannah River National Wildlife Refuge. Boarding begins at 11 a.m. with a three hour cruise from 12 to 3 when President Roosevelt will explain the virtues of conserving public lands for the future of wildlife habitat.

To view this entire article in the newspaper click on Colletonian.  

To view past blog entries about Nature click Field Notes.