Tuesday, October 1, 2013

USA National Scenic Trails

The National Trails System was established by Act of Congress in 1968 (amended 2009). The Act grants the Secretary of Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture authority over the National Trails System.

The Act defines four types of trails. Two of these types, the National Historic Trails and National Scenic Trails, can only be designated by Act of Congress.

There are 11 National Scenic Trails:

    Appalachian National Scenic Trail
    Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail
    Continental Divide National Scenic Trail
    North Country National Scenic Trail
    Ice Age National Scenic Trail
    Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
    Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail
    Florida National Scenic Trail
    Arizona National Scenic Trail
    New England National Scenic Trail
    Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail

source: U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey

2013 National Wildlife Refuge Week Events

A wide range of events will be held in national wildlife refuges across the USA during National Wildlife Refuge Week 2013 (October 13-19).

A few of the events planned include:

Saturday, October 12:

Habitat Restoration Display, Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, Jameson Island Unit, MO

Ding Darling Day, Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge, IA

Log Cabin Day Festival, Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge, IN

14th Annual Trinity River Butterfly Count, Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge, TX

5K Run/Walk for Wildlife, Horicon National Wildlife Refuge, Mayville, WI

Jr. Duck Waterfowl Hike, Necedah National Wildlife Refuge, WI

Volunteer Work Day, Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, MO

Halloween Adventure, Audubon National Wildlife Refuge, ND

The Big Sit! St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, FL

The Big Sit! Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, MO



Sunday, October 13:

Open House, Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, MO

“Go Wild,” Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge, VA

Habitat Restoration Display, Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, Jameson Island Unit, MO

The Big Sit! Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge, MO

The Big Sit! Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge, TX

The Big Sit! Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge, IN

The Big Sit! John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, PA


Saturday, October 19

Wildlife Festival, Patuxent Research Refuge, MD

River Paddle Ride, Mingo National Wildlife Refuge, MO

Open House, Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, MO

Open House, Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge, IL


Sunday, October 20

Open House, Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, MO


Sunday, October 13 through Saturday, October 19:

Open House, Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge, IN
The normally closed “waterfowl sanctuary” area will be open to walk-in visitors during Refuge Week.

source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service