This Presidents Day weekend, February 12 through 15, people across North America are invited to participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count. People of all ages, and all levels of bird-watching are welcome to look at the birds in their backyards and report them over the Internet. You may also mail your forms to Cornell Lab of Ornithology. This is the thirteenth year of the popular event, hosted by the National Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology with sponsorship from Wild Birds Unlimited store owners. By participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count, you can help researchers better understand bird population numbers and distribution across the continent. A “backyard” can be anywhere you happen to be, a schoolyard, a local park, or our own Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge (NWR).

Looking for a great local Halloween Happening, check out Pully's Farm Market for the Wintergreen Acres Haunted Hayride, now in Leroy NY

visit the website at www.wintergreenacreshauntedhayride.com

Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), in partnership with the Lake Plains Waterfowl Association (LPWA), will host its 35th Annual Young Waterfowler�^TMs Training Program. The program includes a full day of waterfowl hunting information and orientation on Saturday, October 17, 2009. The program is designed to improve the skills of young waterfowlers before the youth-only hunt day scheduled for Sunday, October 25, 2009. The orientation program will be held at the Refuge headquarters 1101 Casey Road, Basom and is open to junior hunters between 12-17 years of age. Participants cannot have reached their 18th birthday by the day of the hunt to be eligible. There is no charge to participate but space is limited with preference given to first time participants so pre-registration does not guarantee participation. Those selected will be notified by mail.

Join in a nocturnal search for owls with an experienced guide on Saturday, October 24, 2009, part of Iroquois Observations nature programs. Meet at the refuge office, 1101 Casey Road, Alabama, NY at 7 pm. After a brief orientation we will then caravan to the prowl site. Pre-registration is required by calling the refuge office at 585-948-5445. The program is free and open to the entire family.

The Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge in Genesee and Orleans Counties will host a FREE canoe trek on Saturday, October 3, 2009, 9 am to 1 pm, part of Iroquois Observations nature programs. Meet at the bridge on Knowlesville Road and explore the primitive beauty of Oak Orchard Creek with an experienced guide. Bring your own canoe or kayak. Life jackets are required. Questions? Call Rick Allen at 716-445-9685.

Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge announced today that the refuge headquarters/visitor contact station will be open on weekends, September 26 through October 31, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. This is in addition to its regular business hours of Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., except holidays. The Flyway Nature Store, operated by the Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, Inc., will also operate during these extended hours.

The Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge in Genesee and Orleans Counties will host a free nature program on Saturday, September 26. Meet at Kanyoo Nature Trail and join an experienced guide from 1 pm to 3 pm for a pleasant walk through the woods to identify trees.

The Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge in Genesee and Orleans Counties will host a free nature program on Saturday, September 26. Meet at Kanyoo Nature Trail and join an experienced guide from 1 pm to 3 pm for a pleasant walk through the woods to identify trees.

United States Senator Kirsten Gillibrand will be the guest of honor at an August 17 event at Sweet Briar in Geneseo. "A Summer Evening with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand" is a fundraiser for the Democratic Committees of Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, and Wyoming Counties and will feature light refreshments and a cash bar from 7 to 9 pm.

Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) located in Alabama and Shelby, New York will host a Hunter Education Waterfowl Identification class on Thursday, August 13 from 7:00 p.m. until approximately 11:00 p.m. There is no charge, but attendance will be limited to 60 people so registration is required. This State-sanctioned course will be taught by instructors from the Finger Lakes and Western New York Waterfowl Association. In addition to waterfowl identification, the course will also cover ballistics, hunter ethics and state and federal waterfowl hunting laws. Participants must pass a written exam to receive a Waterfowl Identification Certificate which is required before hunting waterfowl on Federal and some State lands. To help pass the test, pre-study “Ducks at a Distance” (search “ducks” @ www.usgs.gov)