December 30, 2019
Free Winter Walks and Talks at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
The Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge is pleased to announce their Winter 2020 Walks and Talks to be held in January and February. The Refuge will be offering guided walks covering the topics of: Dynamic Dunes, Birds, Local Habitats, and Marine Ecosystems.
The Winter Talks will cover a variety of topics including, the History of U-boats in the Gulf, Sharks and the History of the Sea Turtle Conservation Movement. The talks will be held at the Ft. Morgan Volunteer Fire Department at 12105 State Highway 180 (Ft. Morgan Rd.), Gulf Shores, AL 36542.
These are very popular events and reservations are required. The guided tours are limited to 12 people and the talks are limited to 24 people. A 24-hours’ notice is asked if you must cancel.
Please call the Refuge office at 251-540-7720 to book a walk or a talk, or drop into the office at 12295 State Highway 180, Gulf Shore, AL 36542, between 9 am and 2 pm Monday through Friday. Dates and times will also be available on the Refuge’s website www.fws.gov/bonsecour or their Facebook page.
Brittany Petersen
Assistant Refuge Manager
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
12295 State Highway 180
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
(251) 540-7720 (office)
Topics
Winter Walks
Bird & Nature Walk
Have you ever wanted to know what that plant was? Or maybe that butterfly? Oh wait I just saw a dragonfly! Oh look at that bird! No experience is necessary just come with your curiosity. The walk will take place on Fridays from the Pine Beach Trail. Binoculars are encouraged but not necessary to enjoy the walk.
Bird Walk
Beginner and experienced bird watchers of all ages are welcome to come out and enjoy the beauty of birds and nature itself. Walks will take place from the Jeff Friend Trail on Tuesdays. Binoculars are encouraged but they are not necessary to enjoy the walk.
Nature Walk
Curious about the local plants? What this habitat is? Or the history of this area? Well, that is what you will find, and more on this diverse walk. This walk will start from the Pine Beach Trail.
Medicinal and Edible Plants Walk
Take a journey back to when native tribes and early colonizers needed to rely on the land around them to supply the medication and food they needed to live in this coastal habitat. This walk will begin at the Jeff Friend Trail.
Dynamic Dunes Walk
Come join us for a walk along the Gulf shore and discover why this dune habitat is so important. The talk includes a bit of history, coastal ecology, and native plants. The guided walk will meet at the Mobile Street parking lot.
Guided Beach Walk
Marine ecosystems are fascinating, dynamic, and sensitive to impacts from thousands of miles away. Come learn about the different marine habitats, the creatures that live there and their complex interactions. The guided walk will meet at the Mobile Street parking lot
Winter Talks
Shark Spiel
This talk explores the diversity and complexity of our oceans apex predator and the integral role they play in sustaining a healthy ecosystem.
Sea Turtle History and the Conservation Movement Talk
Have you ever been curious where the sea turtle story all began? Join us for this talk on the history of the conservation movement and the efforts to protect the sea turtles.
U-boats in the Gulf
This talk will introduce audiences to the history of World War II and the presence of German U-boats in the Gulf of Mexico. The speaker will regale audiences with stories of growing up on the beached of Gulf Shores during the height of WW2 and share her firsthand experience of seeing U-boats in the Gulf.
Schedule
Saturday, Jan 11th - 9:30 am- Medicinal & Edible Plant Walk - Jeff Friend Trail (Office will be closed)Winter Walks
Bird & Nature Walk
Have you ever wanted to know what that plant was? Or maybe that butterfly? Oh wait I just saw a dragonfly! Oh look at that bird! No experience is necessary just come with your curiosity. The walk will take place on Fridays from the Pine Beach Trail. Binoculars are encouraged but not necessary to enjoy the walk.
Bird Walk
Beginner and experienced bird watchers of all ages are welcome to come out and enjoy the beauty of birds and nature itself. Walks will take place from the Jeff Friend Trail on Tuesdays. Binoculars are encouraged but they are not necessary to enjoy the walk.
Nature Walk
Curious about the local plants? What this habitat is? Or the history of this area? Well, that is what you will find, and more on this diverse walk. This walk will start from the Pine Beach Trail.
Medicinal and Edible Plants Walk
Take a journey back to when native tribes and early colonizers needed to rely on the land around them to supply the medication and food they needed to live in this coastal habitat. This walk will begin at the Jeff Friend Trail.
Dynamic Dunes Walk
Come join us for a walk along the Gulf shore and discover why this dune habitat is so important. The talk includes a bit of history, coastal ecology, and native plants. The guided walk will meet at the Mobile Street parking lot.
Guided Beach Walk
Marine ecosystems are fascinating, dynamic, and sensitive to impacts from thousands of miles away. Come learn about the different marine habitats, the creatures that live there and their complex interactions. The guided walk will meet at the Mobile Street parking lot
Winter Talks
Shark Spiel
This talk explores the diversity and complexity of our oceans apex predator and the integral role they play in sustaining a healthy ecosystem.
Sea Turtle History and the Conservation Movement Talk
Have you ever been curious where the sea turtle story all began? Join us for this talk on the history of the conservation movement and the efforts to protect the sea turtles.
U-boats in the Gulf
This talk will introduce audiences to the history of World War II and the presence of German U-boats in the Gulf of Mexico. The speaker will regale audiences with stories of growing up on the beached of Gulf Shores during the height of WW2 and share her firsthand experience of seeing U-boats in the Gulf.
Schedule
Tuesday, Jan. 14th- 8:30 am- Bird Walk- Jeff Friend Trail
Tuesday, Jan 14th- 10:00 am- Shark Spiel- Ft. Morgan VFD Station #1
Thursday Jan. 16th- 9:00 am- Nature Walk- Pine Beach Trail
Friday, Jan. 17th- 8:30 am- Bird & Nature Walk- Pine Beach Trail
Tuesday, Jan. 21st- 8:30 am- Bird Walk- Jeff Friend Trail
Tuesday, Jan. 21st- 10:00 am- U-Boats in the Gulf- Ft. Morgan VFD Station #1
Thursday Jan. 23rd - 9:00 am- Nature Walk- Pine Beach Trail
Thursday, Jan 23rd - 10:00 am -Medicinal & Edible Plant Walk - Jeff Friend Trail
Friday, Jan. 24th- 8:30 am- Bird & Nature Walk- Pine Beach Trail
Tuesday, Jan. 28th- 8:30 am- Bird Walk- Jeff Friend Trail
Tuesday, Jan. 28th- 10:00 am- Sea Turtle History and the Conservation Movement- Ft. Morgan VFD Station 1
Thursday Jan. 30th - 9:00 am- Nature Walk- Pine Beach Trail
Friday, Jan. 31st - 8:30 am- Bird & Nature Walk- Pine Beach Trail
Tuesday, Feb. 4th – 8:30 am- Bird Walk- Jeff Friend Trail
Tuesday, Feb. 4th- 10:00 am- U-Boats in the Gulf- Ft. Morgan VFD Station #1
Thursday, Feb. 6th - 3:00 pm- Dynamic Dunes - Mobile Street Parking Lot
Friday, Feb. 7th- 8:30 am- Bird & Nature Walk- Pine Beach Trail
Saturday, Feb 8th- 9:30 am -Medicinal & Edible Plant Walk - Jeff Friend Trail (Office will be closed)
Tuesday, Feb. 11th – 8:30 am- Bird Walk- Jeff Friend Trail
Tuesday, Feb. 11th 10:00 am- Shark Spiel- Ft. Morgan VFD Station #1
Thursday, Feb. 13th- 10:00 am- Guided Beach Walk- Mobile Street Parking Lot
Thursday, Feb. 13th- 3:00 pm- Dynamic Dunes - Mobile Street Parking Lot
Friday, Feb. 14th- 8:30 am- Bird & Nature Walk- Pine Beach Trail
Tuesday, Feb. 18th – 8:30 am- Bird Walk- Jeff Friend Trail
Tuesday, Feb. 18th 10:00 am- Sea Turtle History and the Conservation Movement -Ft. Morgan VFD Station 1
Thursday, Feb. 20th - 3:00 pm- Dynamic Dunes - Mobile Street Parking Lot
Friday, Feb. 21st- 8:30 am- Bird & Nature Walk- Pine Beach Trail
Contact:
Brittany Petersen, Assistant Refuge Manager
bonsecour@fws.gov, (251) 540-7720
