Friends of Heinz Refuge at Tinicum

08/18/2026

You have another opportunity to go on a Bat event this Friday!

Join us this Friday 8/21 7:30 pm to 9 pm for the last Bat Walk of the season! The Bio Team will gather under the pavilion to discuss the different bats found at the refuge before heading out on the trail at dusk! Free, no registration needed.

08/18/2026

Please study this new closure of trails at the south part of Heinz Refuge.

08/16/2026

If this invitation from John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge At Tinicum is interesting, think about it ... AND SIGN UP VERY SOON! Read below...

Do you eat meat and wondered about sustainable harvesting? Have you wanted to try hunting but have no idea how to start? The Mentored Archery Deer Hunt is an unique and free program to get 1:1 mentorship for complete beginners. This program include equipment loans, extensive training on hunting ethics, firearm safety, field dressing, and meat preparation.

We are 1 week away from the lottery deadline for the 2026-2027 Mentored Archery Deer Hunt! It is open to all adults and kids over the age of 12. All children must be accompanied by a guardian. The deadline for the lottery application is August 22, 2026. We will notify you of your selection via email by August 28th.

To be eligible to participate on assigned hunt days, SELECTED HUNTERS MUST ATTEND THE ORIENTATION. Hunters will then be assigned a hunting period, with the opportunity to be on stand by for other hunt dates.

Application deadline: August 22, 2026
Mandatory Orientation: Sunday, September 13th, 2026
Heinz Hunt #1: October 8-10, 2026
Ben Rush Hunt #1: October 22-24, 2026
Heinz Hunt #2: November 20-22, 2026
Heinz Hunt #3: January 8-10, 2027
Heinz Hunt #4: January 21-23, 2027
Ben Rush Hunt #2: January 21-23, 2027

Please email [email protected] for more information and/or if you would like to be considered to participate as a mentor.

Apply here: https://tinyurl.com/JHNWRHUNT26

This program is in partnership with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, National Deer Association, and Friends of Heinz Refuge.

08/16/2026

Our already terrific Ranger Staff at Heinz traveled out of state to participate in training event and also celebrated our Manager of Visitor Services David Stoughton special award! Here’s a look…

08/14/2026

Saying good bye to a very special staff member at Heinz. Whether visitors know him or not, their visits to Heinz was better because Larry here! Please see below...

08/09/2026

Update from Lamar Gore, Refuge Manager...

08/08/2026

More info about our O’Brien Prize!

08/08/2026

Update project news…

UPDATE Below!!!

Upcoming Trail Closure for D**e Restoration Project: A portion of Wetland Loop Trail and the parking lot will be closed starting 5/20/2026 for up to 12 months.

Maps description: The trail from trailhead to the observation tower will be closed. The eastern section of the parking lot will also be closed for project staging area. The remaining section of the parking lot will be open to the public as a 2 way road. The pavilion and bathroom will remain open.

UPDATE: The Upper D**e Road closure is delayed until Tuesday, May 26, 2026, so it will be open through this weekend. A portion of the parking lot however is closed as of today.

Please see our website for more info.
fws.gov/refuge/john-heinz-tinicum/what-we-do/projects-research