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[From Spring 1999]
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Manager John D. Schroer thanked the International Migratory Bird Celebration (IMBC) Committee as he unveiled plans for the fifth annual IMBC which will be held May 7-9, 1999, at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.
"Last year's celebration was the best ever, with more than 9,000 people flocking to the refuge during the weekend of the celebration and more than 2,000 participating in a variety of family-oriented activities," said Schroer. "This year, the committee has put together an even more exciting and fun-filled weekend of activities to celebrate the awesome spectacle of migration."
According to Schroer, the 1999 celebration will begin with a Friday night reception at the Chincoteague Center. "Jim Clark of the Fish and Wildlife Service's National Conservation Training Center will provide a moving slide presentation that is put to music and reveals the beauty of wild places we call refuges," said Schroer. Food and refreshments will also be provided at the reception Schroer said that the event will continue on Saturday and Sunday near the Chincoteague Refuge auditorium and include bird walks, children's activities, auditorium programs, decoy painting, a wildlife art show and exhibit, and much more. Schroer also noted that interpretive boat tours will also be offered as part of the Celebration.
"Many concurrent activities will be offered to visitors as part of the celebration," said Schroer. "The U.S. Coast Guard will open the lighthouse to visitors on Saturday and Sunday, the National Park Service Assateague Island National Seashore will offer visitors bird walks and other interpretive programs on both days, and The Nature Conservancy Virginia Coast Reserve will offer a field trip Saturday morning."
Schroer also stated that for the third consecutive year, the International Migratory Bird Celebration will include a 5K fun run/walk on Saturday morning. "We literally have something for everyone at this celebration," said Schroer. "Whether you are a shorebird aficionado, a budding carver or artist, or just enjoy learning about wildlife and wild places, this is one celebration you will not want to miss."
Chincoteague Refuge is internationally renowned for the abundance and diversity of shorebirds that migrate through the refuge in the spring and is designated as a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network site.
"The International Migratory Bird Celebration showcases the importance of the Eastern Shore of Virginia and Chincoteague Refuge to migrating birds as well as reminding us of our natural resource heritage," said Schroer.
This year's event is sponsored by Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Chincoteague Natural History Association, Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce, National Park Service Assateague Island National Seashore, U.S. Coast Guard, Connectiv, The Nature Conservancy Virginia Coast Reserve, and a host of volunteers.
Angela Tracy
Supervisory Outdoor Recreation Planner
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