Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge Events
Refuge staff, volunteers, and partners regularly host different programs and events throughout the year that enable visitors to connect to nature, wildlife, and the refuge lands. For more details, visit the refuge events page.
September 12:
Bird Walk with Chris Holister, Kanyoo Trail/Kumph Marsh, 8-10 a.m. (Visitor Center closed)
September 13:
Wheelchair Explore: 1-2:15 p.m., Swallow Hollow Trail. Registration required. Limit 7 wheelchairs and up to 2 adults/caregiver for each. Leader: Bob Confer
September 19:
Then and Now: Prehistoric plants of today. 1-3 p.m., Kanyoo Trail. Leader: Marvin Jacobs. (Visitor Center closed)
September 19:
The refuge and the Friends group will have tables at the Reinstein Woods Fall Festival, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
September 20:
Mohawk Pool Hike: 8:30- 11 a.m. Meet at Kanyoo Trail parking lot. Leaders: Andrea Heine & Celeste Morien. Preregistration required. Limit 20 people.
September 26:
Annual Friends board budget meeting, Visitor Center, 10 a.m.
September 30:
Close of annual photo contest. All entries must be received by this date.
October 24:
Tree Identification: 1-3 p.m. Leader Dave Shepherd, Headquarters Trail
October 24:
Owl Prowl. 6:30 p.m. Meet in Visitor Center Education Room for introduction (30 minutes), then travel to Owl Prowl site from there. Easy short walk; bring a flashlight.
November 21:
FINWR annual board meeting for election of officers, etc. Visitor Center, 10 a.m.
Nesting & nature programs
Conservation
The unique array of habitats throughout the refuge host a diversity of wildlife. Over 266 different species of birds, an estimated 29 species of reptiles and amphibians, 18 species of fish, 42 species of mammals, and an abundance of invertebrates have been documented on the refuge. Many visitors come for a chance to see migratory neo-tropical birds, large flocks of waterfowl, or to catch a glimpse at the resident eagle nests and heron rookeries. For a more detailed list, go to the refuge’s wildlife page.
One way everyone who visits the refuge can help conservation efforts is by using the brush-off stations at the beginning of each trail. Invasive species are the most pernicious problem facing native flora and fauna. Using the brush-off stations before you enter a trail helps keep tiny seeds of invasive plants from entering the refuge.
Annual Photo Contest
The 2025-2026 Photo Contest is now open for submissions. At least three professional photographers from the Rochester area have graciously agreed to act as judges. We should have the results by the annual meeting in November, so stay tuned!
Cash Awards for Contest Winners
1st place:
2nd place:
3rd place:
Guidelines:
Photos must be taken on the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, Basom, New York, between September 1, 2025, and September 30, 2026. Click here to see a map of the Refuge boundaries.
Photographers may enter only one (1) photo per category:
- Refuge Wildlife – mammals, fish, insects, reptiles, etc. No birds.
- Refuge Birds – all bird species.
- Refuge Habitat/Scenery – depicts a view or views of natural features of a landscape, or an area or environment in which an animal or plant normally lives.
- Young Nature Photographer – young photographers aged 14 years old and younger. Photo subject should be wildlife, birds, or habitat from Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge.
Official Contest Rules
- Photos may be disqualified if ANY of these rules are not followed:
Photographers must be non-professional; “professional” defined as anyone whose livelihood is earned by photo submissions and/or sales. - All entries must be taken in public areas or during events at Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge between September 1, 2025 and September 30, 2026.
- All entries will be judged as submitted. Both black & white and color photos are eligible.
- A photo cannot be entered into more than one category.
- No one is permitted to earn more than one prize, regardless of category.
- No personal information/watermark is permitted on an image.
- Electronic submissions ONLY. All entries are to be submitted online on the Friends of Iroquois photo contest submission web page.
- Digital manipulation of images should be minimal and convey a strong sense of realism.
- All entries must be submitted by September 30, 2026.
The photos and prizes will be awarded at the Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge Annual Meeting in November 2026.
Category: Birds – Award: 1st Place
12th Annual Photo Contest 2021-2022
Category: Wildlife – Award: 1st Place
10th Annual Photo Contest 2019-2020
Category: Wildlife – Award: 1st place
8th Annual Photo Contest 2017-2018
Reproduction Rights and Liabilities
Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge and FINWR reserves the right to use all entries for the purpose of promoting and supporting the refuge without compensation to the photographer; however, the copyright will remain with the photographer. Credit and notification will be given to the photographer when possible.
By submitting your entry, you agree to all the contest rules listed above.