‘Fridays at the Refuge’ Begin New Season May 3

SUMNER, MO — Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge will be having its May “First Fridays at the Refuge” event on May 3 starting at 5 pm. There will be free hot dogs and drinks provided by the 2C Chapter of Quail Forever, hayrides around the refuge, and the Observation tower will be open for visitors to climb up and get a bird’s eye view of the refuge. A new hands-on pollinator exhibit will be debuted in the Visitor Center. The Stream Box will also be uncovered and opened for the season. Children and adults alike can take off their shoes and get into the stream box to see how the water flowing through it changes the sandy “landscape.” There will also be a Pollinator booth hosted by biologist Andrew White from Quail Forever. He will teach about the importance of pollinators and what people can do to encourage them on their land and in their gardens. David Beyers will be playing a variety of music on his guitar in the Amphitheater from 6 – 7 pm for those who want to sit down, relax, and enjoy some music. The Mad Science group from Kansas City is returning as the main event for the night. They will be doing their “Bugs, Habitats, and Hives, OH MY!” program, which involves insects, where they live, and other fun surprises and activities. They will be presenting from 7 to 8 p.m. Swan Lake NWR is located one mile south of Sumner, MO and managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service as a unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System.