Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge

06/13/2026

Please be patient and drive safely this Sunday, June 14, as triathletes from around the country participate in the IRONMAN 70.3 Eagleman Triathlon! Athletes will be cycling on local roads around the refuge, including Smithville Road, Rt. 335, Key Wallace Drive and Egypt Road. Please note that the Wildlife Drive will be free this Sunday.

Photo by Amy Schaffer

06/12/2026

One of the best ways you can help protect turtles is to assist them in crossing roads. Here are some tips to do it right!

1. If possible, stand guard while it finishes on its own. It's always best to avoid touching wildlife if you can.
2. If you must move a turtle, move it in the direction it was heading.
3. Never pick a turtle up by its tail! You could injure it!
4. Move turtles with a car mat or by gently holding them by the back of their shell.

Photo by Courtney Celley/USFWS

06/11/2026

The Marsh Edge Trail is open once again! Pack your bug spray and binoculars and get ready to explore where forest meets marsh to see what you can find.

We found this awesome Eastern kingsnake. Although harmless to humans, kingsnakes have earned their well-deserved title by commonly hunting and eating OTHER snakes! Let us know what you find!

06/10/2026

It's wild turtle week, a time to shell-e-brate some important turtle species and the roles they play in the wild!

Snapping turtles are the “janitors” of their ecosystem, keeping our waterways clean by eating decaying animals, much like vultures.


Photo credit: Thomas J. Miller/USFWS

06/08/2026

Thanks to all those that came out for our Youth Fishing Fun Day this past Saturday! The fish were biting, and the weather cooperated! A special thanks to our volunteers and the Friends of Blackwater NWR for providing a free lunch, t-shirt and gift to our registered youth! We hope experiences like these help connect families to the great outdoors!

06/04/2026

The deadline for the 2026 Blackwater NWR Photo Contest has been extended until June 14! Submit your photos now!

We've extended the deadline for our Blackwater NWR Photo Contest to June 14! We noticed over the weekend, none of our outstanding night sky photographers had entered their photos, so please take this time to enter your great night shots between now and the deadline. Winners in both youth and adult categories win cash prizes: https://www.friendsofblackwater.org/photo-contest-2026.html

06/01/2026

We had a blast with the sixth grade students from North Dorchester Middle School and Maces Lane Middle School when they visited the refuge last month for hands-on field experiences. A big thanks to our volunteers and the Friends of Blackwater NWR for making it all possible!

05/29/2026

Register now for our Youth Fishing Fun Day coming up on Saturday, June 6th from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. This free, family-friendly event for youths 15 and under offers a safe place for beginners to fish. Park at the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park pavilion to access the event. Pre-register at 410-228-2677. For more information, visit www.fws.gov/refuge/blackwater.

05/25/2026

On this Memorial Day, we pause to honor the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces who gave their lives in service to our country.

In their honor, the Wildlife Drive is free today.

05/23/2026

We can't thank our volunteers enough for all they do for Blackwater! We celebrated and recognized their great work this week at our annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, held at the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park pavilion. Whether they are welcoming visitors, monitoring wildlife, educating students, or maintaining gardens, volunteers make Blackwater a better place for wildlife and people alike! Thank you to ALL our volunteers!