Open six days a week from 9 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday and Sunday. The weekend schedule may be altered during the " off season " months. Be sure to call before you visit. The building contains a small exhibit area, an information counter, and an auditorium which seats approximately 30 individuals. Group use is welcome.
A small pond, located near the V.C.S., was converted to an area for use specifically by outdoor classroom groups. A platform has been built over the pond to allow for collecting and sampling activities. A boardwalk stretching out into the marsh is located directly behind the pond area.
This interpretive foot trail meanders for approximately .4 miles through a shrub and marsh habitat before coming out onto Back Bay. Small footbridges carry groups over low areas and observation platforms offer students a close view of the marsh. This is not a loop trail system. Access to and from the Bay is over the same pathway. The trail can be used by groups studying the marsh, shrub, and bay habitat.
Located .25 miles south of the V.C.S., this boardwalk traverses the dune area and connects the East Dike Road with the beach. The trail itself is approximately .125 miles in length and contains an observation platform which overlooks the Bay to the west and the dunes to the east. It is an excellent trail for group use since it is more secluded and not as heavily travelled by general Refuge visitors. This area is excellent for studying beach and dune habitats.
This portable boardwalk, located directly behind the V.C.S., is an easy access route to the beach. The trail meanders through sand dunes for 1,000 feet before reaching the beach. It provides an excellent area for studying dune plants, animal tracks, dune formations, and movement of sands. Use this boardwalk when you are short on time and want to reach the beach as fast as possible.
More than four miles of dike roads run through out the Refuge and help form several large impoundments for migratory bird use. These areas are open seasonally for group use although time restrictions usually prevent students from venturing too far into the Refuge. Groups will find excellent opportunities for viewing wildlife along these roads and for investigations of the marsh and freshwater ditch habitats. Contact the Refuge in advance to determine the extent of seasonal closures which are enacted to protect birds during critical periods of migration and wintering.
Teachers may utilize back Bay for educational activities. Directly in front of the V.C.S., near the old boat dock, is an area that teachers will find useful for brackish water studies. A canoe launch is also available but trailers are prohibited due to limited parking.
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge welcomes the use of its resources for environmental education purposes and stresses activities where students are active participants, not passive listeners. The primary purpose of the Refuge's Environmental Education program is to motivate people to learn the role of management in the maintenance of healthy ecosystems and to conserve and enhance our fish and wildlife resources. By using the Refuge for structured educational activities in an outdoor classroom atmosphere, students will more fully appreciate and understand the natural world. The education activity should focus on the natural environment and the individual's role in it.
We offer the following to assist in your education activity:
Throughout the year, Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge offers Environmental Education Workshops to help orient you to the Refuge, to familiarize you with the outdoor classroom sites, trails, and interpretive facilities, and to introduce you to sample activities which can be utilized with your students. It is highly recommended that you attend one of these sessions so that you will be better prepared to assist your students in outdoor classroom activities.
When you attend the workshop, you will be provided with a folder of materials designed to introduce you to the educational resources available at the Refuge including library resources (videos and publications), and equipment resources.
After you have been through the Workshop and have scheduled a day to visit the Refuge, it is time to start preparing your students. We would suggest the following outline to achieve the most meaningful educational experience.
The Refuge staff is eager to make your visit to Back Bay an enjoyable experience. The staff is a good source for wildlife and wildlands information and investigative techniques. They can also suggest study sites to meet specific activity needs, inform you of seasonal wildlife trends, and unusual sightings.
The Refuge staff can specifically offer the following:
Please give our staff a call at (757) 721-2412.
Scheduling is on a first come, first served basis. Please contact the Refuge at your earliest convenience for information on available dates. A scheduling form is included on this Internet site for your use. Groups may visit the Refuge seven days a week during daylight hours. Reservations are required, at least two weeks in advance, in order to preclude scheduling conflicts. This insures that group use can be accurately recorded and that the group can be made aware of any special problems, interesting wildlife sightings, or Refuge regulations that might affect their visit.
Attempt to keep your groups small. The quality of the outdoor experience is diminished when groups are too large.
Teachers should stress appropriate dress for students. Comfortable walking shoes, long pants, long sleeved shirts, warm jackets, scarves, caps, and gloves are needed during the colder months. In summer, shorts, comfortable walking shoes, and t-shirts are recommended and all clothing worn should be tolerant of the wet/ sandy conditions of the beach. Mosquitoes and other insects are present from April through October so instruct students to dress appropriately and to apply non-aerosol insect repellant to exposed skin. For more precautions for the habitat, see Health Hints.
The Visitor Contact Station, Bay Trail, Dune Trail, Seaside Trail, Dike System, beach, and designated study areas are available for use by groups. Please inform the Refuge staff of your needs and plans prior to arrival.
No picnic facilities are provided on the Refuge although Little Island City Park, adjacent to the Refuge at its north end, contains tables and shelters which groups can use. Parking fees are charged from mid-May until Labor Day at Little Island.
Restroom facilities are available at the Visitor Contact Station and are accessible from an outside entrance.
The Visitor Contact Station, restrooms, and trails are wheel chair accessible.
Groups involved in outdoor classroom activities should bring paper, pencils, clipboards, and other needed materials. Additional equipment is available from the Refuge staff.
The auditorium inside the Visitor Contact Station seats approximately thirty individuals and may be reserved upon request for films and slide programs. However, we believe the most meaningful experience will occur in the natural environment.
Bus parking is provided in the refuge lot next to the Visitor Contact Station. Upon arrival, please park within the designated lines for oversized vehicles.
The vehicular access ramp to the beach is closed to all foot traffic. Groups must use the Seaside or Dune Trail boardwalks for beach access.
In the event of inclement weather, please contact the Refuge office at (757) 721-2412 to reschedule your visit.
All groups must be properly supervised and are expected to abide by the Refuge regulations. Upon arriving at the Refuge, students should remain on the bus until the teacher has checked in at the Refuge office.
Please encourage your students to respect their environment.