Summer may be wrapping up, but there’s lots happening at Montezuma! Andrea from the Montezuma Wildlife Refuge has some exciting updates, event reminders, and a few ways you can get involved with the new headquarters office/visitor center — check out her message below.

Hello Volunteers & Friends,

Well, we’ve come to the unofficial end of summer and I want to thank you for your continued dedication to Montezuma! I have some good news updates for you, and other info too…

SENECA TRAIL IS NOW OPEN through December 31!

The stairs up to the VC roof viewing area are closed for safety. We need to replace some boards. I believe Don & Ruth are on the case, so if it happens to be open the next time you are there, then it’s all fixed.

WATER LEVEL NEWS

We have begun to refill the Main Pool. Keep in mind that since it is so full of plants, there will be a good amount of water in the pool before we actually notice it from the Drive. Refilling is a slow process, so please continue to be patient.

We are drawing down Knox and May’s for southbound shorebird migration.

Hunting regulations

Hunting regulations for this season are in the top drawer of the filing cabinet behind the VC desk. There is also a QR code people can scan to take them to the regulations on our website. Hunting questions should be directed to me or to Linda.

This weekend is the Montezuma Muckrace!

This bird-a-thon event raises awareness about and funds for the Montezuma Wetlands Complex. It’s a Friends’ event planned, organized, and implemented by our Friends, volunteers, and partners. If you’re participating – Happy Birding! If not, but you want to contribute, please visit the Muckrace page.

Native Plant Festival and Plant Sale

Then on September 20 is the Friends’ Native Plant Festival and Plant Sale. I have attached information about the activities/speakers/vendors. Come check it out! Or better yet, help us out that day with set-up, take-down, “crowd” control, etc. This year’s focus is on pollinators.

New headquarters office/visitor center

We have released our Draft Environmental Assessment for the construction of our new headquarters office/visitor center. The proposed building will also house the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Ecological Services’ New York Field Office. They generally do permitting and work on private lands. We are asking for public comments now through October 1. We would really appreciate your comments (you can email them to me), especially because you know of the issues we have with the current building (mouse-infested; deteriorating floors, windows and deck; questionable plumbing; inefficient HVAC; small space [the new building will have a VC/ST space and a separate conference room]). I have attached the press release and the Draft EA for you; the public can get it online, from the office, or by request. The press release gives directions on how to submit comments, but you can email yours directly to me if you want.

Thank you!
Andrea

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