The Welcome Center opens for the season tomorrow, December 1! The Welcome Center is staffed from 10 am-3 pm daily, with outhouses open 24/7, 365. We are excited to welcome folks the greater Sax-Zim Bog ecosystem, to marvel at this amazing ecosystem!
We like to start the season off with a friendly etiquette reminder to folks, whether you are a long-time visitor, first-time visitor, or somewhere in between.
The majority of the greater Sax-Zim Bog ecosystem is public land (County, State, etc) with many private lands as well. Friends of Sax-Zim Bog now owns and manages just over 25,000 acres in a landscape greater than 500,000 acres!
Friends of Sax-Zim Bog are NOT the police of the Bog. Everyone must take responsibility for their own behavior. Much of this is just common sense and common courtesy.
Remember these three points to be a friend to the Bog:
1) BE A FRIEND OF WILDLIFE
• Winter is a hard time for wildlife, do not unduly disturb natural behaviors no matter the critter. Calories are at a premium for all species at this time, so be respectful of their needs.
• Welfare and safety of all wildlife comes FIRST… our photos and videos come SECOND. EVERY TIME!
2) BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR
• Watch your rear view mirror when driving the roads…PLEASE pull over so others going faster can safely pass.
• Private property is private property. Do not step on any land unless you know it is public land.
• Do not pull over and park across from another parked vehicle. The space between the two cars is usually too narrow for other traffic to get through at normal speeds.
• Pay attention when crossing roads and DO NOT stand in roadways with tripods when viewing wildlife.
3) BE KIND AND CURTEOUS
• Respect other visitors and locals.
• Keep voices low when a group is watching/photographing a bird or mammal.
• Turn off your car engine when observing wildlife or feeders at close range.
A full list of etiquette reminders can be found on our website here: https://saxzim.org/birding-the-bog/#etiquette
Let’s all use common sense and common courtesy and have a good time out there! The Sax-Zim Bog is a wonderful place full of amazing “bogdiversity” that is ours to discover and enjoy.
