What is the Montezuma Wetlands Complex?
 The Montezuma Wetlands Complex (MWC) Project is an effort by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and Ducks Unlimited, Inc. to protect, restore and enhance wildlife habitat. It encompasses approximately 50,000 acres (20,242 hectares) in Seneca, Cayuga and Wayne counties in upstate New York and includes the federal Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, the state Northern Montezuma Wildlife Management Area, and lands owned by conservation groups, farmers, and other private landowners. Public lands and some private land are managed to provide habitat for wildlife and recreation and education for people.

Cattails  Cattails Newsletter
 The Spring 2009 issue of Cattails is available now. You can view it here..

Thirteenth Montezuma Muckrace
September 11 - 12, 2009
Audubon New York and Friends of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex announce the thirteenth annual Montezuma Muckrace, to be held on September 11 and 12, 2009. This 24-hour birding competition raises funds to support conservation projects within the Montezuma Wetlands Complex.

Redstart This original drawing of an American Redstart by artist Sue DeLeare Adair, produced for the recently-published New York State Breeding Bird Atlas, will be raffled off at the 2009 Montezuma Muckrace on September 12. Raffle tickets will be sold only to Friends members and Muckrace participants. Money raised by the raffle will be used for the bird conservation project designated for support by this year's Muckrace.

Please visit our Muckrace page for registration and pledge forms and the bird checklist.

Calling all gardeners!
Volunteer Opportunity at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
We are in serious need of some gardening/landscaping help! If you're a Master Gardener, this is a great opportunity to log volunteer hours! We searching for a group of people who can help by creating two garden spaces that attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. Volunteers will be working on one space near the entrance of the Visitor Center and on another space surrounding the head of the Seneca Trail. You will be able to exercise your own creativity and expertise, however, we will encourage the use of plants that are native to central New York. Interpretive signs placed in both spaces will instruct visitors on how to create similar havens for pollinators in their own gardens. If you can help, please email Ashley_Hodges@fws.gov or call 315-568-5987.

Main Pool Drawdown
Starting after the spring waterfowl migration, the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge began draining its Main Pool. You may remember that the Main Pool was drawn down two years ago. A two-year drawdown cycle is short for this marsh, but because of the drought two years ago, plants did not grow back to the point where they offered the best habitat for the refuge's wildlife. Refuge Managers feel very comfortable draining the pool again this year in order to allow the plants another chance to germinate and better mimic the emergent marsh cycle. More information about the drawdown is available here.

Join MARSH (Montezuma Alliance for the Restoration of Species and Habitats)
Saturday, July 11, 9 am - 1 pm. Meet at the Montezuma Audubon Center.
MARSH is part of a larger effort to restore, protect, and enhance wildlife habitat on nearly 50,000 acres in the Montezuma Wetlands Complex. We are forming a VOLUNTEER GROUP to support the habitat restoration efforts of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation at Montezuma. This group will work on controlling invasive species in grassland, shrubland, forest, marsh and river. The work is hands-on as we cut and pull invasive species and replant with natives that will be more beneficial to wildlife and less harmful to Montezuma habitats overall!
Work to be done: Pulling water chestnut. Equipment provided. PLEASE BRING WORK GLOVES AND WATER. Insect repellant and high waterproof boots/waders would be helpful too! If you have a canoe, please bring it. Lunch provided by the Friends of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex. Please call 315-365-3580 to sign up.

Coffee

voicesVoices of Montezuma
 Listen to our interview with Andrea VanBeusichem about hunting at Montezuma.. Enjoy these perspectives on the Complex from the people who know it best.

Join the Friends!
 Become a member and help the Wetlands Complex.

2009 Amateur Photo Contest
 Grab your camera and take a picture that captures the essence of the Complex. All age and amateur ability levels welcome! Click here for the rules and an entry form.
Visit the 2008 Photo Winners page to see their great images!

Montezuma Photography eClub
 Montezuma Photography is a nature and wildlife photography e-club for members of the Friends of Montezuma and attendees of Montezuma photo workshops. Emphasis will be on species, habitats and landscapes found on the Montezuma Wetlands Complex in the northern Finger Lakes Region of New York. Members can post photos, share photo techniques and successes, ask questions, and set up informal field trips. Find out more here.

2008 Muckrace Report
 Information about the 2009 event and a full report on the 2008 event.

Frequently Asked Questions
 The most popular questions asked at the Visitor Center.

eBird Rare Bird Sightings
 Here's a great way to check up on the most recent rare bird sightings in New York State.

Montezuma NWR Needs Volunteers.
 The Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge needs volunteers. Volunteers are needed most to staff the Visitor Center information desk (some knowledge of birds and wildlife helpful, but not necessary) and The Lodge Gift Shop. Training will be provided. Other needs include landscaping around the Visitor Center and Headquarters Office, “roaming naturalists” to make contact with visitors out on the Refuge grounds (knowledge of birds, wildlife and plants required), program planners, and light office duties. If you would like to volunteer, please call 315/568-5987, ext. 228 or email Andrea VanBeusichem.