MARK SMITH / PVT A couple makes its way along the Crystal Spring boardwalk near the Ash Meadows visitor center on a recent afternoon. Advertisement

AMARGOSA VALLEY -- If you're going to be around tomorrow, May 2, Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge will be celebrating its 25th anniversary with a round of boardwalk programs and cake.

From 8 to 9:30 a.m. a marsh bird walk will be offered followed, and then from noon to 3 p.m. there will be an open house at the visitor center.

Cake will be served starting at 12:30 p.m. Partners and researchers will have tables set up with displays about the work they do in connection with the refuge, large equipment will be out for kids, or the kids at heart, to look over, and the visitor center and bookshop will be open.

A half-hour "walk back in time" will begin at 1 p.m. along the Crystal Spring boardwalk. Kate Maxwell, a member of the Ed-Ventures team, will discuss the area as if has been over the past several thousand years.

From 1:45 to 2:15 p.m., Ed-Ventures team member Michael DiGregorio will consider "saving a special place" during a Crystal Spring boardwalk program. He will outline what it took to establish the Ash Meadows Refuge.

At 2:30 p.m., a half-hour Cool Plant Tour will be presented by Ezra Lencer, a third member of the Ed-Ventures team.

She will talk over the plants one may discover throughout the refuge. All taking part will go home with the refuge's new native plant field guide.

"We may have a Devil's Hole guided talk, too," said Christina Nalen, visitor services manager. "Come out and spend the afternoon with us. Feel free to call if you have any questions."

The office number is 775-372-5435.