TWO MILE BEACH UNIT NEWS

Take a souvenir photo under the recently erected Lower Jaw Bones of the 56 foot Finback Whale that beached here in 2003!

Visitors Center/Nature Store is open 9am to 3pm everyday except closed on Tuesdays

EVERY Saturday, 9:00
FAMILY-FRIENDLY NATURE WALKS
Enjoy easy, family-friendly walks every Saturday led by one of our knowledgeable volunteers. Bring binoculars or borrow a pair of ours. Please remember water, hats, sunscreen and insect repellant. Meet at the Visitor Center parking lot for this free activity.

EVERY day the Visitor Center is open BIKE & HIKE
Ride your bike to the Refuge before 12 noon, complete a scavenger hunt on 2 trails, then return to the Visitor Center for a complimentary goodie bag. This is a family-friendly, free activity. Please register at the Visitor Center for supplies before hitting the trails.

EVERY Wednesday, June 24-August 19, 9:30-10:30
NATURE STORY HOURJoin Chris, Catherine, Kaylee and others every Wednesday from June 24 until August 12 for a nature-themed story picture book reading followed by a related art craft or activity. This free activity is suitable for children ages 3 and up who must be accompanied by a supervising adult. Meet at the Visitor Center. No registration required.

Sundays, July 12 & 26, August 9 & 23, 9:00
New Program: EARLY BIRD EXPLORERS
Get ready to observe, learn and record your sightings of Refuge birds and habitats in your very own notebook (provided) that will get stamped as your “passport” every week you participate. This is a free activity.

New Program: BUTTERFLY COUNT
Spot butterfly species at the expanded Pollinator Garden. Lists of butterflies and photos will be provided. Stop at the Visitor Center between 9-3 every day except Tuesdays to check off the butterflies you identified and view our beautiful laminated photos of common butterflies on the Two Mile Beach Unit.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Saturday, July 11, 10:30
New Program: CONTAINER GARDENING
In this workshop led by Master Gardener, Lyn Avale, pollinators will be planted to attract butterflies.
Containers will be provided. Attendance is limited. Please register at friendsofcapemayrefuge@gmail.com

Thursday, July 16, 1:00-3:00
PLEIN AIR WATERCOLOR: PAINT THE REFUGE
Renowned local artist, Janet McShain, will share her techniques with participants who will paint in the open air. Supplies will be available or feel free to bring your own. A donation of $15.00 would be appreciated. Registration required by June 19 at friendsofcapemayrefuge@gmail.com

Thursday, July 16, 10:00-11:00
New Program: NATURE PRINTING
Take a sensory walk of the pollinator garden and use some of the materials for nature prints. This free activity, led by Chris Heimer and Ellen Heimer, artists and educators, is suitable for children ages 4-10, accompanied by an adult. Please register by July 9 at: friendsofcapemayrefuge@gmail.com

Upcoming in August: The annual Junior Duck Stamp Exhibit displayed all month long in the Visitor Center!

Thursday, August 20, 9:30-11:30
New Program: NATURE JOURNALING ON THE REFUGE
Learn some key elements and skills of nature journaling, then set out on your own or with others to observe the Refuge and fill out a page or two with observations in your notebook. Please bring your own colored pencils, watercolors, or pens and paper to the event. Some supplies will be available. This is a free event. Please register at: friendsofcapemayrefuge@gmail.com

Check back often for updated list of seasonal events! Or visit us on Facebook Book or Instagram.

The Great Cedar  Swamp Division is at the northern end of the refuge in Dennis and Upper Townships.  Habitats such as salt marsh, hardwood swamp, bog, grasslands and large tracts of forested uplands are used by wildlife such as blue-winged warblers, ovenbirds, and short-eared owls. The refuge connects with a state forest and the Pineland National Reserve. 

Please support the Refuge and Become a Member to help support our mission!

The Cape May National Wildlife Refuge is located within the Cape May peninsula, the southernmost point in the state of New Jersey.  Because of its unique geography, the peninsula offers stunning views of sunrise to the east over the water of the Atlantic Ocean, and of sunset to the west over the water of the Delaware Bay.  The Refuge currently protects over 11,000 acres of peninsula habitat in its 3 refuge units: the Great Cedar Swamp Division, the Delaware Bay Division and the Two-Mile Beach Unit. These 3 units represent unique, diverse habitats: forested hardwood swamp, river estuary and ocean barrier island.   VIEW MAP