Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge Openhouse Set for July 28th

Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge invites you to an openhouse on Seahorse Key Saturday, July 28th, from 9:00 - 4:00. Enhance your summer by getting the family outdoors into the spectacular Cedar Keys. Bring your camera, fish a little, walk along the beach, and enjoy the exhibits.

The interior of Seahorse Key is normally closed to public entry, as are all posted refuge islands, so that nesting birds and other wildlife are not disturbed. Annually, a three hundred foot buffer is closed to all public access from March through June to provide more security to the rookery while mature birds nest and rear their young. On June 30th the closure ended; fledglings will be flying.

A cast of period-dress volunteers will tell the history of the lighthouse and the rugged lifestyle of the lightkeepers. Toni Collins, author of the Cedar Key Light Station will dress the part of Catherine Hobday, and from the Cedar Key Historical Society, Ken Young and George Sresovich will be lightkeepers of the past.

The lighthouse on Seahorse Key, atop the 54-foot tall dune, offers great perspective for wildlife photography as the adult and juvenile birds fly by the tower. You`ll see brown pelicans, ibis, cormorants, common and snowy egrets flying from the rookery. Magnificent frigate birds, eagles and osprey also visit throughout the day from their nearby nests.

Catch a tour boat from the city docks, rent a vessel, or take your own to Seahorse Key for a celebration of wildlife ad heritage hosted by the Refuge and parnters. Enjoy the out of doors at the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge, where wildlife comes first.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, of which the National Wildlife Refuge System is a part, is the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people and their families.