2022 Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge Internship Opportunities

The Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge has started its search for spring and summer 2022 interns and they’ve asked us to help spread the word! Do you know someone who would be interested in this unique opportunity working alongside and learning from skilled field biologists? If so, please pass this information along! Learn more and follow the directions provided here to apply.

*Please note, The Friends of Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge is not involved in the hiring process.

2022 Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge Internship Flyer

Preorder your 2022 calendar now!

Following the amazing yearlong Sense of Wonder Art Contest, we are excited to announce that you can now preorder your 2022 wall calendar commemorating the Refuge’s 50 years of conservation in the name of Rachel Carson! We will be accepting preorders through Sunday, October 31st (Halloween), and calendars will be shipped mid-November. Calendars are $18.00 each (this price includes shipping to anywhere in the United States). All proceeds beyond the costs associated with the calendar will be used directly in our mission to support the Refuge’s preservation of land for migratory birds and local wildlife. Click here to preorder your calendar now! Many thanks to all who made the Sense of Wonder Art Contest a success!

*Reminder to contest winners: You will be receiving your free copy of the 2022 wall calendar at the address you provided in your release!

Volunteer Opportunity at the Refuge!

The Land Management Research and Demonstration (LMRD) team at Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge is seeking 1-2 volunteers interested in gaining experience working in salt marshes in southern Maine. Volunteers will be assisting the LMRD Biologist with monitoring surface elevation tables (SETs) on the Refuge. The position will involve data recording, capturing field photos, and measuring soil depth of surface horizon markers. The volunteer will need to be able to carry equipment up to 40 lbs and be comfortable on their feet walking over wet and uneven terrain for long distances. Footwear will be provided by the refuge.

Time Commitment: minimum of 4-hour shifts and up to 6/8 hour shifts (flexible) between 1 to 2 times per week for approx. 10 weeks

Start Date: Flexible (Early October 2021 preferably)

End Date: (Weather dependent) - End of Nov/Early-mid Dec

Please contact Bri_Benvenuti@fws.gov if interested.

August Sense of Wonder Art Contest Winners!

We are pleased to announce the winning photograph and poem for the August “Artist’s Choice” theme in the Sense of Wonder Art Contest. The winning photograph was taken on the Carson Trail in Wells by Holly Dunning and is titled “End of Day Shade.” The winning poem was written by Kathleen Comber and is titled “The Rachel Carson Trail.” Accompanying her submission, Kathleen writes, “This was a fun experience. I watched a few groups of people - adults and children - stop at the marsh overlook while I was writing this. It is such a special place.” We certainly agree! Holly’s photograph and Kathleen’s poem will be published in a 2022 wall calendar commemorating the Refuge’s 50th Anniversary Celebration. Congratulations to Holly and Kathleen, and all who made submissions during this yearlong celebratory contest!

Winning photograph by Holly Dunning for the August Sense of Wonder Art Contest theme of “Artist’s Choice.”

Winning photograph by Holly Dunning for the August Sense of Wonder Art Contest theme of “Artist’s Choice.”

The Rachel Carson Trail
By Kathleen Comber 

You enter the woods
And you feel crowded
By the trees and sounds 
By your thoughts and plans 
And the decisions you have to make.
You walk quickly through the trail,
Like you walk quickly on the sidewalk.

It takes time for you to remember 
That it’s not pavement beneath your feet
But dirt and leaves and pine needles and rainwater.
It takes time for you to realize 
That there’s no rush,
There’s no end you have to reach.
Your only responsibility is to this moment.

Your only responsibility is
To hear the birds
To feel the rain
To smell the salty air
To see the palette of colors
To breathe.

And even though the sun is behind the clouds,
The sunlight is still there 
And it makes this corner of the world glow
With a thousand shades of green,
Glow like the moon at night.

When you notice this
Your feet begin to slow
Along with your thoughts.

Then the path curves 
and the landscape opens before you:
To the marsh, a green carpet soft and alive,
To the distant sea beyond that
To the wide infinite sky,
Framed on either side by forest,
Trees like gate posts, 
So you think you are looking at the entrance of something,
The gateway to some other way of living and seeing.

You feel your chest open to this landscape.
You remember 
How big the world is
The world that you belong to 
And the shock of the wide open space 
Makes you stop a moment
Makes you wonder
Makes you breath deep
Like you’ve been holding your breath.

So for this moment
You let this place embrace you
Your mind quiets
And you are still.

July Sense of Wonder Art Contest Photography and Poetry Winners!

We are pleased to announce the winning photograph and poem for the July “Refuge Birds of Summer” theme in the Sense of Wonder Art Contest. The winning photograph was taken by Martha Huestis and is of a sweet Canada goose family visiting the Refuge in Wells, Maine. The winning poem was written by John Rullo and is titled “On the Red-Winged Blackbird.” Accompanying his submission, John writes, “I think, as John Keats observes of the nightingale, that the blackbird is one of nature's great poets; I hope to do it justice!” We certainly think he does! Martha’s photograph and John’s poem will be published in a 2022 wall calendar commemorating the Refuge’s 50th Anniversary Celebration. Congratulations to Martha and John, and all of the fantastic contributors of photography and poetry submissions this month! The August theme is “Artist’s Choice" and all mediums are now being accepted! Please see contest details here.

Winning photograph by Martha Huestis for the July Sense of Wonder Art Contest theme of “Refuge Birds of Summer.”

Winning photograph by Martha Huestis for the July Sense of Wonder Art Contest theme of “Refuge Birds of Summer.”

On The Red-Winged Blackbird
By John Rullo

Blackbird, would I were noble as thou art--
Okay. I’m sorry, Mister Keats. I know
You wrote of love: serene, aloft, apart,
But near. That’s all I want to do; I’m so

 Not worthy of stealing your line, but I thought you wouldn’t
Mind due to our shared affinity for birds.
Propensity? No, anyways I digress.
I’m certain though, that you’d agree with this:

That every poem is a bird; we merely stare.
Oh tiny jet, why do I laude your virtues
When your throaty, ancient trill says more than I dare?
If every poem’s a bird, you are the Muse. 

And when I see your sanguine spaulders bright,
I rest at last and sigh, “July’s all right!”

June Sense of Wonder Art Contest Winner!

We are pleased to announce the winning artwork for the June “Refuge Landscapes” theme in the Sense of Wonder Art Contest. The winning piece was painted by Brian Fetzner, a 15-year-old who has been producing art since he was 3 years old. Brian enjoys painting landscapes and historic buildings. Brian’s painting will be published in a 2022 wall calendar commemorating the Refuge’s 50th Anniversary Celebration. Congratulations to Brian, and all who sent submissions of refuge landscapes this month! The July theme is “Refuge Birds of Summer. We are now accepting photography and poetry submissions for consideration and we encourage participation of all Rachel Carson National Wildlife fans, near and far! Please see contest details here.

Winning painting by Brian Fetzner for the June Sense of Wonder Art Contest theme of “Refuge Landscapes.”

Winning painting by Brian Fetzner for the June Sense of Wonder Art Contest theme of “Refuge Landscapes.”