Announcement: Access to the Headquarters Unit and new Visitor Center
The Headquarters Unit’s outdoor spaces are open to the public from sunrise to sunset seven days a week. See the list of regulations for Refuge use in brochures available in kiosks around the refuge and in the breezeway at the Visitor Center.
Note: The Visitor Center is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday and on selected weekends. The Nature Store in the Visitor Center is currently open when trained volunteers are available. Regular nature store hours, including weekends, will be announced soon. Call 318-742-1219 (extension 111 for the store) to confirm hours before planning to visit exhibits and the store.
DIRECTIONS: The Headquarters Unit is located at the west end of Sunflower Road, just outside the city limits of Bossier City. From the intersection of US 71 (Barksdale Boulevard) and Jimmie Davis Highway (LA 511) in Bossier City, go south about one-half mile on US 71. Turn right (west) on Sunflower Road and proceed to the refuge entrance at the end of the road (about one mile). Drive through the gate and follow the main gravel road about one-half mile, bearing left at the fork in the road.
The Red River National Wildlife Refuge Office/Visitor Center is located just outside the Bossier City city limits at 150 Eagle Bend Point (formerly 555 Sunflower Road). It is south of the Jimmie Davis Bridge and is situated along the Red River. Parking, including handicapped space, is available at the Visitor Center. For more information, call (318) 742-1219.
Friends of Red River Board Member Openings
Would you like to get more involved in the Friends group? The Friends Board of Directors may be the place for you. We are especially looking for new board members who are interested in leading projects, recruiting volunteers, assisting with the management of the Friends Nature Store opening later this year in the new Visitor Center, raising funds for Friends and refuge projects, or promoting and/or coordinating partnerships with other community organizations.
If you're interested, contact Nancy Menasco at 868-3255 or nmenasco@friendsofredriver.org for more information about board member responsibilities and guidelines.
Put Your Stamp On
The 2011-2012 Federal Duck Stamp is now on sale and anyone who enjoys wildlife and natural landscapes should purchase a stamp. Ninety-eight percent of the proceeds from the $15 Duck Stamp support the acquisition of wetlands for the National Wildlife Refuge System. Since 1934, Duck Stamp receipts of over $750 million have protected over 5.3 million acres of habitat for wildlife and for future generations of Americans.
Wetlands provide vital habitat for bird breeding, nesting, and rearing young. Since 1780, the amount of wetlands in the conterminous United States has declined from 11 percent to just 5 percent in 1980. One third of America's threatened species make their home in wetlands.
To see how Duck Stamp dollars are working to conserve habitat go to http://www.fws.gov/duckstamps/Conservation/conservation.htm
The Stamp costs only $15 and it can be purchased at Friends of Red River events and meetings, nearly all Post Offices, or online at http://www.duckstamp.com
Upcoming Events
Some dates are tentative. As more details become available, we will post them here, in our newsletter, and on Facebook.
January 2012
- Grand Opening of new Visitor Center
Red River NWR Headquarters is located at 150 Eagle Bend Point, Bossier
City, LA 71112
Red River NWR Bayou Pierre Unit is located on Grand Bayou Loop/Parish
Road 401 in Red River Parish.
Details for these events and the Celebration schedule will be posted here and in the next issue of The Red River Raft.