Supporting the Big Muddy National
Fish and Wildlife Refuge

Putting up boundary signs at the
Jackass Bend Unit of the refuge.

Since the Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge is still fairly new, there is an ongoing effort to get all of the land that has been purchased for the refuge marked with signs along the boundary.  Boundary signs help resolve law enforcement problems, but most importantly, they prevent trespass problems when users accidentally wander off refuge land on to private property.  You have heard the adage, “Good fences make good neighbors.”  In this case it is good SIGNS make good neighbors.

Friends of Big Muddy have helped refuge staff put up signs since the beginning.  We’ve learned a thing or two in the process.  We no longer schedule work days to put up signs in the middle of August, for instance!  But, in spring before there is much vegetation growth, we do try to help get as many signs up as possible.

The St. Aubert’s Unit “sign crew.”  We put a boat in at the
Mokane Access, and boated across to the refuge, putting up
2 miles of signs along the river and up the east side
of the upstream tract.

In spring, 2003, we have already helped put boundary signs up at the St. Aubert’s Island Unit near Chamois.  In late May, we put signs along the upstream end of the Baltimore Bottoms Unit.

Driving the pole for a sign.

Bolting the sign on the pole.

We are starting to put signs up again this fall, with the next day scheduled for December 6th. Please contact us if you would like to help.

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