Contact:: Dave Menke                                                                       February 26, 2003 

     Public Invited to Attend March 14^th Refuge Celebration

March 14^th marks the day 100 years ago when President Theodore Roosevelt founded the National Wildlife Refuge System by establishing 3-acre Pelican Island Refuge in Florida. The public is invited to attend an open house and time capsule interment at the Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge visitor center commemorating the National Wildlife Refuge System Centennial. A complimentary lunch will be served as part of the celebration.

The visitor center is located at 4009 Hill Road about 5 miles west of the town of Tulelake, California. The celebration will take place between 10:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. as scheduled below. Everyone is welcome to attend any part or all of the celebration events. Those planning to enjoy lunch are requested to RSVP the Refuge at . The public is also invited to to contribute items which will be placed in the time capsule to be opened on the Refuge System Bicentennial (March 14, 2103).

Centennial day events are scheduled as follows:

10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Special exhibits and light refreshments A special Refuge System Centennial Exhibit, Photos depicting 50 of over 530 National Wildlife Refuges throughout the Nation, Video footage of Refuges in Oregon and California dating from 1911 through 1915, an opportunity to view early Refuge reports with photos dating from the 1930's and 40's and an exhibit featuring the newly proposed Klamath Basin Birding Trail.

10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. View Time Capsule contents prior to interment.

12:00 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. Lunch is served: bratwurst, spuds, beans, coleslaw and Centennial cake and ice cream.

1:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Time capsule interment; including a recognition and remembrance of Refuge Hero, Rich Guadagno (Rich was a victim of the 9/11/01 tragedy)

Other Centennial events are scheduled at the Klamath Basin Refuges each month during 2003 including bus and canoe outings to observe wildlife, a workshop for aspiring wildlife photographers, an appearance of President Theodore Roosevelt at the May 24^th Tulelake Migratory Bird Festival and a Centennial Celebration at Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge in June. For a complete listing of Refuge Centennial events to be hosted by the Klamath Basin Refuges. For a listing of future Centennial Events contact Dave Menke or David Champine at (530) 667-2231 or visit the refuge web site at klamathnwr.org

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