Events
EVENTS 2025
Two Mile Beach Unit Visitor Center
12001 Pacific Avenue, Wildwood Crest
VOLUNTEERS: All of our programs as well as the Visitor's Center are run by volunteers. If you have an interest in joining us, either as a nature walk leader or as a staff member in the Visitor's Center, please stop by and leave your contact information at the Visitor's Center. When we are ready to set up our volunteer orientations, someone will reach out to you.
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EVENTS 2025
PAINT A DRAIN - Tuesday, April 22 from 10am-12pm
Storm drains, designed to collect rainwater, also carry pollutants to our waterways. Help call attention to keeping storm drains clear of chemicals, fertilizers and trash by painting a drain.
Event Schedule:
*10:00 AM - 10:30 AM Presentation on storm water with Watershed Ambassador Courtney Lacombe
*10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Group design and drain painting
Group Requirements: Families, clubs, school groups, & organizations are all welcome to register! Groups should have at least 3 members and 1 member must be an adult. Your group will be responsible for developing a design that brings awareness to where our water goes when it runs down local storm drains and how we can keep our waters clean. Your group can develop a design at the event or come up with it beforehand. No art experience is necessary!
There will be 5 volunteer artists who will be available to help with the design and/or painting if groups don't have someone available on their own team. The Friends of Cape May National Wildlife Refuge will need to approve all designs before you begin painting.
Paint and materials will be provided or bring your own book.
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Earth Day at the Cape May County Park and Zoo - Saturday, April 26th, 10-3
The Friends group will staff several tables at the Cape May County Park and Zoo for the Earth Day Celebration. This year’s theme is “Seas” the Moment: Protect our Waters! We will have educational materials available, seeds and native plants, and children’s activities, including seed bomb crafts. Many eco-friendly organizations will be present at this annual event, as well as crafters and a food court.
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Night Sky Exploration at the Refuge - Saturday, April 26, 8:15 P.M.
Back by popular demand, astronomer Kevin Beare, from Cape May Astro, will lead an evening of sky-gazing at the TMBU. Those in attendance last summer were fascinated by Kevin’s depth of knowledge and his amazing “smart telescope” which allowed us to observe the moon, stars and planets with ease. Bring your own folding/lawn chair and sit back for an evening of enlightenment.Meet in the Visitor Center parking lot at 8:15. Rain date is Sunday, April 27 at 8:15.
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Volunteer Meet and Greet - Sunday, April 27 from 1-3pm
Have you been thinking of doing something meaningful to help the environment?Volunteering at the Refuge May-October is a great way to impact the local ecosystem. There are a variety of opportunities such as greeting guests at the Visitor Center, assisting children with the Junior Refuge manager scavenger hunt and observation program, staffing the Nature Store, leading nature walks, reading nature stories and facilitating related activities with children, and helping with the native gardens. Volunteers with expertise in a relevant area may suggest activities to lead. We also welcome teenagers who wish to provide community service. We provide forms to document their service time. (Volunteers under age 18 are required to be accompanied by a parent or group leader.)
Meet us at the Visitor Center for this friendly orientation.
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LTCC Community Night at the Naval Air Station Aviation Museum
Tuesday, April 29 from 4-7pm
Businesses in Lower Township, including the Friends of the CMNWR, will be present to acquaint you with their products and services. The Lower Township Sheriff’s K-9 unit, Fire Department (along with “Sparky,”) delicious food, and many prizes and giveaways will be on hand. Last year was our first time participating in this event and it proved to be very enjoyable. Please join us at the Naval Air Station Aviation Museum Hangar, Cape May Airport, 500 Forrestal Road, Cape May, NJ 08204.
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The Visitor Center and Nature Store re-opens Saturday, May 3 from 9am-3pm
Saturdays and Sundays from 9-3
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Family-Friendly Guided Nature Walk - Saturday, May 3, 9-10:30
Enjoy easy walks every Saturday on our beautiful trails with a bird expert as your guide. In addition to birds, leaders point out interesting plant and wildlife on the Refuge. Bring your binoculars or borrow ours. Don’t forget water, sunscreen, hats, and bug repellant. Meet at the Visitor Center parking lot by 9:00. Children are definitely welcome!
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World Migratory Bird Day - Saturday, May 10
Celebrated bird expert, Ruth Bergstrom, will lead World Migratory Bird Day activities beginning with a family-friendly guided bird walk at 9:00 AM. From 10-12, participants can enjoy tours of our native garden to learn how these plants provide nutrition, shelter and nesting materials for birds. Meaningful crafts and nature-themed coloring pages will be provided for children.
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Conserve Water with a Personal Rain Barrel - Saturday, June 7, 10:00
We are pleased to welcome Courtney Lacombe, AmeriCorps NJ Watershed Ambassador, who will present information on watersheds, conserving water, installing rain gardens and other water issues in NJ. Demonstration and assembly of a rain barrel will take place immediately following Courtney’s program. For a $30.00 donation, all materials and guidance will be provided for the participant who wishes to take home a completed rain barrel. Courtney Lacombe’s presentation, itself, is free-of-charge. Adults and supervised children are welcome. Meet in the gazebo outside of the Visitor Center. Please register by June 6 by email at: friendsofcapemayrefuge@gmail.com
Cancellations due to weather will be posted on Facebook.