DUNGENESS — The Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge will kick off a celebration of its centennial anniversary from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. today (Saturday) with a birthday party and a one-time-only historical presentation of the refuge’s history.
The free event will include cake, punch, historical displays and a visit by Theodore and Edith Roosevelt re-enactors, and will be hosted by the Jamestown S’Klallam tribe at Red Cedar Hall, 1033 Old Blyn Highway in Blyn.
“This is the only place, the only time to hear this history. It’s a onetime thing,” said Dave Falzetti, refuge officer with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Refuge historian John Maxwell has been immersed in a yearlong search into the history of the refuge, Falzetti said.
“At this point, he knows more about it than anyone else,” Falzetti said.
With refuge manager Jennifer Brown-Scott, Maxwell will present a visual and oral history for the education and entertainment of visitors.
On Jan. 20, 1915, President Woodrow Wilson signed Executive Order 2123 establishing the Dungeness Spit Reservation “as a refuge, preserve and breeding ground for native birds.”
Since then, the refuge’s protected cove has provided a winter home and feeding ground for the Brant goose and year-round habitat for marine mammals, a nursery for fish and Dungeness crab, and is a part of the Pacific Flyway — a vital stop for migrating birds on their trips between their southern winter homes and their northern breeding grounds.
“Had this area not been set aside 100 years ago, it would not be what it is today. There were plans to develop the area,” Falzetti said.
The unique spit — one of the longest natural sand spits in North America — and cove are a great place to visit, he added.
The entrance to the refuge is at 554 Voice of America Road.
Additional events
Additional free events celebrating the refuge’s first 100 years will be held one Saturday each month through November, except October.
Here is a schedule:
■ Feb. 21, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. — Winter bird walk led by members of the Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society. Participants will meet in the parking area.
■ March 14, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. — Presentation on the New Dungeness Light Station by a member of the New Dungeness Light Station Association at Unitarian Church, 73 Howe Road.
■ April 18, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. — Spring bird walk led by Audubon Society members. Participants will meet in the parking area.
■ May 16 , 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. — Presentation by the Coastal Watershed Institute at the Dungeness River Audubon Center, 2151 W. Hendrickson Road.
■ June 20, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Kids’ Day at the refuge, with hands-on activities at the visitor center.
■ July 18, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. — Geology walks to examine the geological history of the area. Participants in the two walks will meet in the parking area.
■ Aug. 15 — Shorebird walk led by Audubon Society members. Time to be announced. It will depend on the tides.
■ Sept. 25-26 — Celebration of 100 years with the Dungeness River Bridge and Klahhane Hike Club as part of the annual River Festival at the Dungeness River Audubon Center.
■ Nov. 21, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. — Migrating waterfowl walk on the refuge led by Audubon Society members. Participants will meet in the parking area.
For more information, go to www.dungeness100.com or phone the refuge office at 360-457-8451.
Visitors to the refuge are welcome from sunrise to a half-hour before sunset daily.
The entrance fee is $3 per family or per group with up to four adults. Children younger than 16 are admitted free.
________
Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.
