MILFORD – Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, located just northeast of Bangor, has received a national honor from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It is a timely recognition for the facility, which will offer free fishing for youngsters this weekend at Pickerel Pond.

“As the National Wildlife Refuge System celebrates its first 100 years, I am proud to announce the selection of Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge for the Refuge of the Century Award,” said Anthony Leger, Northeast regional chief for the National Wildlife Refuge System.

The Refuge of the Century Award is given to select refuges for their role in preserving wildlife and their habitats over the past 100 years, said Sunkhaze Meadows manager Tom Comish of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Sunkhaze was chosen because of its importance in preserving habitat for key species of migrating songbirds, neo-tropical birds and several rare plant species.

“This refuge provides a temporary home for all 23 species of warblers that are found in Maine,” Comish said. “Without the bog and upland habitat found at Sunkhaze Meadows, warblers and other migratory songbirds would simply not be as abundant as they are.”

On March 14, 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt set aside a 3-acre island off the coast of Florida to protect the breeding ground of native birds. His efforts to preserve endangered species grew into the National Wildlife Refuge System. The organization is holding centennial celebrations nationwide.

“Our nation has created a proud legacy of supporting and conserving wildlife and wildlife-related recreation,” said Leger. “Our National Wildlife Refuge System plays a key role in conserving and maintaining these special places for people and wildlife.”

The system encompasses 95 million acres in 540 refuges across the nation. Comish said the Sunkhaze habitat is also of “special concern.”

“Basically the peat bog is really the big thing we’re protecting,” he said. “It’s the second largest peat bog in Maine. In conjunction with that, we do have a number of rare plant species as well.”

Rare plants include the Showy Lady’s Slipper, a threatened species in Maine; and the Square Stemmed Monkey Flower, which is classified as a federal Species of Special Concern. Wild garlic and wild leeks are also considered Species of Special Concern in Maine. More than 200 other plant species inhabit the refuge.

Maine has four refuges: Sunkhaze, Moosehorn in Washington County, Petit Manan off the coast of Down East Maine, and the Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge in Wells.

Sunkhaze comprises 10,000 acres and was established in 1988 partly to protect the land from private mining of peat moss. The refuge, however, includes more than just the parcel north of Bangor.

“The refuge here in Milford is 10,300 acres,” said Comish. “We have two other units of the refuge in Benton (400 acres) and Unity (70-80 acres). We basically picked those up because they were free. What we do is manage those areas for grassland birds. We do have a rare bird species down there called the Sedge Wren.”

Comish said the volunteer organization Friends of Sunkhaze helps to maintain the refuge.

“Many refuges across the nation have friends groups,” said Friends of Sunkhaze president Pam Wells. “Our group does community education, offers field trips, helps the manager do maintenance work, collaborates with other community groups to provide environmental education and opportunities and engages in political advocacy.”

Sunkhaze has a limited staff, so having a friends group helps to maintain trails and other projects.

“Without friends groups, there would be a lot less access to refuges,” said Wells. “For example, our group has installed board walks through a cedar forest and we have also built a viewing platform, which overlooks the bog. We also believe that it is very important for our community’s children to learn about Sunkhaze and it’s value for a sound environment.”

The goal of exposing children to the refuge in an effort to get them interested in conservation and preserving wetland ecosystems is one reason to hold events there. On Saturday, June 14, Sunkhaze, the Maine Youth Fish and Game Association and Friends of Sunkhaze will sponsor a free fishing event for kids at Pickerel Pond, located off the Stud Mill Road.

The fishing event will take place from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the pond. All are welcome to watch, but only those 16 and younger may fish. Fishing at Pickerel Pond is limited to youngsters in that age group.

“There will be prizes, lunch, instruction and stuff like that,” said Comish. Prizes for the biggest fish will be awarded and no licenses are needed for youth participating in the event.

“We picked that day because it’s the Fish Free Day in Maine,” said Comish. “Actually it’s the whole weekend.”

To get to the Pickerel Pond from Old Town, head into Milford on U.S. Route 2 and take the second right onto County Road. Proceed 8.7 miles until the stop sign, and turn right onto the Stud Mill Road. Travel for approximately 2 more miles. The pond is on the left.

To find out more about the refuge, call 827-6138 or visit the Friends of Sunkhaze Web site at www.sunkhaze.org.