Friends of Cape May National Wildlife Refuge

06/12/2026

06/11/2026

Boaters!
A group of North American Right Whales has been spotted close to Atlantic & Cape May County shores.

Vessel collisions are their primary threat because they are staying close to shore, overlapping shipping lanes & they are difficult to see because of murky waters & their dark coloring.

According to NOAA, North American Right Whales are critically endangered with at last count only 380 whales are left in this world. Only 70 of those are reproductively active females but vessel strikes are making females & their calves even more vulnerable.
Please slow down.

Attention boaters! A Right Whale Slow Zone is now active Southeast of Atlantic City, NJ to protect a group of right whales.

Right Whale Slow Zones are areas in which right whales have been visually or acoustically detected. All mariners are requested to avoid or transit these areas at 10 knots or less. If you are in this area, please keep a look out and go slow!

🐋Stay back 500 yards: Approaching a right whale closer than 500 yards is a violation of federal and state law! This includes boats, drones, and paddleboats.

🐋Go 10 knots or less: Going slow in Right Whale Slow Zones helps boaters stay safe and prevent collisions that are lethal for right whales. Mandatory 10-knot speed restrictions for most vessels 65 feet or longer are also in effect in the Great South Channel Seasonal Management Area (SMA) from April 1 - July 31.

🐋Be extra vigilant: Moms and calves are especially vulnerable to ship strike due to spending longer times at the surface.

Details and graphics of all vessel strike management zones currently in effect: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/endangered-species-conservation/reducing-vessel-strikes-north-atlantic-right-whales -vessel-speed-restrictions

06/09/2026

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06/06/2026

Check out June’s newsletter

https://friendsofcapemaynationalwildliferefuge.org

06/06/2026

06/05/2026

Injured birds galore!
Can you help Wild at Heart rescue? Rides are frequently needed to Cedar Run in Medford.

Here at the Cape May National Wildlife Refuge we get dozens of call about injured wildlife & birds from very caring people reporting to us injured animals that’ce come across.
Unfortunately only licensed Wildlife Rehabilitators are allowed to handle injured birds & wildlife!
It’s unbelievable that Cape May area, one of the biggest Atlantic Flyway routes, HAS NOT ONE bird Rehabilitator closer than 80 miles away!
If you can drive offer to drive up to Medford to safe a life, please call Wild At Heart 609-515-2416:
Thank you

06/04/2026

Saturday, June 6th
Planning your weekend?

Three fun events are offered for this weekend.

At TWO MILE BEACH UNIT :

9AM
1) Family Nature Walk ( we lend children & adult binoculars);

11AM - 1:30pm
2) Annual Rain Barrel workshop —put together & take home a rain barrel that is ‘food grade’ - safe to use on your garden & birdbath;
$30 donation

3) GO FISH - We challenge you!
10:00am - 2pm
Visit Supawna Meadows in Pennsville, NJ (where? - see below) on your way down the shore for a free kids’ fishing event -we supply bait & equipment if needed so less for you to pack!
Supawna has ponds & trails & over a thousand acres to explore.
(Maps below)

Note:
Please register for the Rain Barrel workshop & the fishing challenge event. (See posters below for info)

06/04/2026

Bird watching kits at the library!!!
💙Support the Library System💙