Friends of Prime Hook NWR    

The Friends of Prime Hook is a volunteer organization whose primary purpose is to assist the Refuge staff in many areas, such as public awareness, education and maintenance.

Some specific activities we undertake include:
- Operating the Friends Store
- Leading birding field trips
- Maintaining trails, bird houses and bird feeders
- Promoting the Refuge at public events
- Conducting an annual nature photo contest
- Maintaining the gardens around the Refuge

The Friends of Prime Hook is a 501c3 organization. For information about becoming a member, see Contact Us.

Red Fox froliicing in the snow

Pine Grove Trail in winter 

What's New?

10/20 - We had a very rewarding birding field trip this morning which included:
5 Bald Eagles, a Peregrine Falcon, and many other good birds. Overall, our field trip was made even more special with great fall colors backed by deep blue sky. A great day to be outside!!! The November birding field trip date will be posted soon.

From Interior here is a very moving video featuring Sally Jewell, Secretary of the Interior, enthisiatically greeting returning government employees.

10/17 at 6:30 pm - The Refuge is now OPEN. The birding field trip scheduled for this coming Sunday at 8 am will take place.

The new deadline for submitting photos for the Photo Contest is Nov 3. The date for the Photo Contest Recption is Nov 10, from 2 to 4 pm.

Other events planned for the 50th Anniversary will probably not take place because the weather is getting unsuitable. See the FWS Refuge web site for more details as they become available.

10/15 - As you know, the Government is shutdown, and this means Prime Hook NWR is closed and the gates are locked. Concerning the Photo Contest, it will be delayed until at least 2 weeks AFTER the Refuge re-opens, so you will have a minimum of 2 weeks to submit your photos.

Concerning the Refuge 50th Anniversary, it to will be delayed until some time after the Refuge re-opens.

Keep checking this web site for updates.

7/26 -Complete information about how to enter the 2013 Friends of Prime Hook Photo Contest is now available at Photo Contest.

Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge is one over over 500 National Wildlife Refuges in the continental US. Activities, such as lecture programs, bird walks, educational activities, etc. are published on the Refuge web site.

Prime Hook comprises over 10,000 acres of salt marsh, freshwater marsh, ponds and impoundments, wooded swamps and uplands. There are approximately 5 miles of trails on Prime Hook. Over 300 species of birds have been observed on Prime Hook. Winter waterfowl numbers are often among the highest along the east coast. Mammals observed include White-tailed Deer, River Otter, Beaver, and Red Fox (left). There are also many native plants at Prime Hook, some rare, and many very colorful.

Response to comments about this site:

(This is new as of 4/23/13).