Dan and I have been in Fairbanks, on the Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge, just over three weeks now. When we decided to come to Alaska for Summer 2008, our goal was to try to find a temporary volunteer position somewhere. We knew it would be very expensive to get here, and to stay here (even before fuel prices were this crazy!), and we thought we could help offset these costs by working or volunteering somewhere. Dan did some exploration and found a position for Refuge Host at Creamer’s. We applied and were hired for a six-week position, and that is how we ended up here. Our duties consists of working Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, 10:00-5:00, overseeing the Visitor’s Center and light maintenance on the grounds. In exchange for that, we get a place to park our 5th wheel, electricity and water.
Below is some information from the Creamer’s website (www.creamersfield.org) explaining how a Dairy owned by a family named Creamer became a Wildlife Refuge. I’ve also attached some pictures of the grounds.
“During the gold rush at the turn of the century, Belle and Charles Hinckley brought three cows and some horses from Nome, Alaska, by steamboat and sternwheeler to the small outpost of Fairbanks to operate a dairy. They paid for their passage by selling milk to other passengers. On the last leg of the journey, they met and became friends with the Creamer's, another pioneer family on their way to Fairbanks. In 1928 the Creamers purchased the dairy from the Hinckley's and continued to develop, enlarge, and operate it until 1966. It was the largest and most successful dairy in Interior Alaska. As the dairy grew over the years, migratory waterfowl congregated at Creamer's Field in increasing numbers. The grain and large open fields provided prime habitat. When the dairy went up for sale in 1966, local residents met to plan a way to purchase the property. Along with money raised by the community, the State legislature provided funds (25%) to match with the federal government's Pittman-Robertson funds (75%) to purchase the 250 acre farm. Management was given to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G). In 1970 an adjacent 1500 acres of state land was added and the entire parcel designated "Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge" in 1979.
At Creamer's Refuge, a wide variety of different habitats provide homes for a diversity of animals. But the refuge plays a special role in the lives of migratory birds. Even though some birds such as Canada geese, pintails and golden plovers stay for only a short time, they depend on Creamer's Refuge to feed and rest each spring and fall. Other birds such as Sandhill cranes, Shovelers, and mallards may remain the whole summer. Visitors enjoy excellent bird watching spring through fall. Creamer's Refuge also appeals to other types of wildlife as well. Visitors frequently spot moose meandering through the forest, snowshoe hares nibbling on willows, chattering squirrels or a red fox pouncing on voles at field's edge.”
Below is some information from the Creamer’s website (www.creamersfield.org) explaining how a Dairy owned by a family named Creamer became a Wildlife Refuge. I’ve also attached some pictures of the grounds.
“During the gold rush at the turn of the century, Belle and Charles Hinckley brought three cows and some horses from Nome, Alaska, by steamboat and sternwheeler to the small outpost of Fairbanks to operate a dairy. They paid for their passage by selling milk to other passengers. On the last leg of the journey, they met and became friends with the Creamer's, another pioneer family on their way to Fairbanks. In 1928 the Creamers purchased the dairy from the Hinckley's and continued to develop, enlarge, and operate it until 1966. It was the largest and most successful dairy in Interior Alaska. As the dairy grew over the years, migratory waterfowl congregated at Creamer's Field in increasing numbers. The grain and large open fields provided prime habitat. When the dairy went up for sale in 1966, local residents met to plan a way to purchase the property. Along with money raised by the community, the State legislature provided funds (25%) to match with the federal government's Pittman-Robertson funds (75%) to purchase the 250 acre farm. Management was given to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G). In 1970 an adjacent 1500 acres of state land was added and the entire parcel designated "Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge" in 1979.
At Creamer's Refuge, a wide variety of different habitats provide homes for a diversity of animals. But the refuge plays a special role in the lives of migratory birds. Even though some birds such as Canada geese, pintails and golden plovers stay for only a short time, they depend on Creamer's Refuge to feed and rest each spring and fall. Other birds such as Sandhill cranes, Shovelers, and mallards may remain the whole summer. Visitors enjoy excellent bird watching spring through fall. Creamer's Refuge also appeals to other types of wildlife as well. Visitors frequently spot moose meandering through the forest, snowshoe hares nibbling on willows, chattering squirrels or a red fox pouncing on voles at field's edge.”
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