Okefenokee NWR Summer Hours Start March 1

For Immediate Release                                                                 Contact: Cindy McIntyre (912) 496-7836

Date:  February 28, 2013

 

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Announces Summer Hours

 

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge will begin its summer hours of operation Friday, March 1, 2013. The East Entrance, located seven miles southwest of Folkston, GA, will open one-half hour before sunrise and close at 7:30 p.m.

 

Summer hours are in effect March 1 to October 31, 2013. With longer hours, visitors can enjoy the day-use canoe trails until 6:00 p.m.  The gate to the Swamp Island Drive now stays open until 6:00 p.m., and visitors are expected to exit the drive by 7:00 p.m.

 

With more than five inches of rain the past week, water levels are improving, and gators are out basking.  The resident Florida sandhill cranes may be seen engaging in their fascinating courtship dances, the red-shouldered hawks are tidying their Canal nest, and there are turtles galore – all of which can be seen on a tour down the Suwannee Canal into the wetland prairies. 

 

Ranger-led interpretive programs on gators, birds, and habitats are offered every Saturday.  For more information contact the refuge’s visitor center from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily at (912) 496-7836.

 

To book overnight trips into the swamp call the canoe hotline (912) 496-3331.  The line is staffed only from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Monday through Friday, except federal holidays.

 

Refuge partner Okefenokee Adventures (912-496-7156) offers guided boat rides into the swamp, canoe and kayak rentals, and sunset and overnight canoe tours, including one scheduled for March 11-13.  With the longer hours, visitors can enjoy the refuge and its offerings that much more.

 Photo cutlinet:  Sandhill Cranes, which mate for life, forage on Chesser Prairie, Okefenokee NWR, Georgia. 

Photo credit:  USFWS Cindy McIntyre

                                                                           -fws-

 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is committed to providing access to our events for all participants. Persons needing reasonable accommodations in order to attend and participate in our events should contact Cindy McIntyre, Cynthia_McIntyre@fws.gov; 912-496-7836.  In order to allow sufficient time to process requests, please contact us for assistance at least five business days before the event.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

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