National Wildlife Refuge Week starts Sunday and runs through Oct. 14.

The weeklong celebration is a time to explore and celebrate national wildlife refuges. The area boasts two refuges: Muscatatuck in Jackson, Jennings and Monroe counties and Big Oaks in Jennings, Ripley and Jefferson counties.

Special events will be going on next week at Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge, 12985 U.S. 50 East, Seymour, to commemorate the week.

The kickoff for the week will be the Big Sit bird count Sunday at the Endicott Observation Deck. The count will go from dawn to dusk, and visitors are invited to come out any time during the day and record the birds they see from the observation deck.

Next week, Muscatatuck’s waterfowl sanctuary area, which normally is closed, will be open to walk-in visitors.

Entries in the Muscatatuck photography contest also will be on display in the Conservation Learning Center.

The highlight of the week will be the annual Log Cabin Day Festival on Oct. 14, sponsored by the Muscatatuck Wildlife Society.

The festival is conducted at the Myers Cabin and features a free ham and bean dinner, old-time crafts, music, a blacksmith, wildlife exhibits and kid-friendly activities. Activities will start at 10:30 a.m., and food will be served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (or when it runs out). There is no cost to attend the event.

Information: Email [email protected] or call 812-522-4352, ext. 12