2010 Maynard Fest Highlights

Visitor Center at Assabet River NWR Grand Opening

October 17, 2010

Photographs from the grand opening celebration of the new Visitor Center at Assabet River NWR. The center serves eight refuges in the Eastern Massachusetts NWR Complex and includes educational displays and a nature store.

The grand opening ceremony and celebration included tours around the refuge, educational events and talks, and speeches by local and national leaders.

For more information visit the Friends of the Assabet River NWR's website at: farnwr.org

2010A-263-2454::Grand Opening of the Visitor Center at Assabet River NWR

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2010A-580-2914::The new visitor center at Assabet River NWR

2010A-580-2908::An estimated 1000 people visited the refuge and the new visitor center

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2010A-580-2915::Interpretive displays at the visitor center.

2010A-580-2890::Bike and Hike led by Jill Phelps Kern.

2010A-580-2896::Bunker Tour led by Jan Wright

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2010A-580-2904::Jan Wright discusses the history of the bunkers (igloos)

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2010A-580-2921::Folks gathered on the visitor center's porch for conversation, donuts, cider, and apples donated by nearby orchards.

2010A-580-2923::The Friends of the Assabet NWR's Nature Store was open as well.

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2010A-580-2949::A "gaggle" of FWS employees?

2010A-580-2926::Another bunker tour gets ready to depart.

2010A-580-2927::Owen led the Family Bike Ride around Puffer Pond

2010A-580-2930::The normally quiet trails were buzzing with hikers and bikers.

2010A-580-2928::Puffer Pond

2010A-580-2929::The "Exploring Pond Life" program -- as seen from across Puffer Pond

2010A-580-2940::Exploring Pond Life at Puffer Pond with Arthur Skura and Stephen DeFlorio

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2010A-580-2932::Arhur Skura (r) talks about animal life in the pond.

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2010A-580-2944::Passion for Birds with Henry Lappen

2010A-580-2948::Henry Lappen compares the beak of a Puffin to a pair of vise grips.

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2010A-580-2950::Visitors learn about the wildlife across the 8 refuges in the Eastern MA Refuge Complex

2010A-263-2343::Almost as many bikes as cars...

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2010A-263-2346::Arthur Carbary, former resident of land now part of the refuge.

2010A-263-2347::Carbary Family members

2010A-263-2348::Susan Russo, Visitor Services Manager for the Eastern MA NWR Complex

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2010A-263-2350::Libby Herland, Project Leader, Eastern MA NWR Complex

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2010A-263-2357::U.S. Congresswoman Niki Tsongas delivered the keynote address.

2010A-263-2359::Niki Tsongas

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2010A-580-2958::The Eastern MA NWR Complex Team is recognized by Congresswoman Niki Tsongas

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2010A-263-2368::Cynthia Martinez, Chief of the Division of Visitor Services and Communications, USFWS, Washingon D.C.

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2010A-263-2371::Tony Léger, Regional Chief of the National Wildlife Refuge System, USFWS Northeast Region

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2010A-263-2374::MA State Representative Thomas Conroy

2010A-263-2377::One of the smaller attendees

2010A-263-2378::MA State Senator Jamie Eldridge

2010A-263-2380::Sudbury Selectman John Drobinski

2010A-263-2389::Joan Patterson, Director of Grassroots Outreach, National Wildlife Refuge Association

2010A-263-2393::Betsy Griffin, President of the Friends of the Assabet River NWR

2010A-263-2395::Rona Balco, President of the Friends of the Oxbow NWR

2010A-263-2397::Arthur Carbary, former resident of the land now part of the Assabet River NWR

2010A-263-2398::Carbary family members

2010A-580-2964::... and more Carbary family

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2010A-263-2405::Aidan Pavao, local student and bird enthusiast

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2010A-263-2410::Chief Roland Jerome, United Native American Cultural Center, Ayer, MA

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2010A-263-2414::Chief Jerome offers tobacco to the earth as part of the closing ceremonies.

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2010A-580-2970::USFWS team still has work to do after everyone leaves...

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2010A-263-2443::Carbary Family Reunion Photograph

2010A-580-2990::Presentation on the DeepWater Horizon Oil Spill in the Gulf Coast by Paul Phifer, PhD

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