Back in December 2007, this blog reported on the new Wildlife Center that was scheduled to open in March 2008 at Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, which is located on the outskirts of Portland, Oregon.

On April 17, The Oregonian printed a report from Norman Penner — president of the refuge support group called Friends of the Refuge — about the recent opening:

In spite of rain, wind, snow and hail, the March 29th dedication of the new Wildlife Center at Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge was a resounding success. Over 1,000 people came out for the day’s festivities…The refuge was honored to host several notable guests at the dedication ceremony, including Sherwood Mayor Keith Mays; Assistant U.S. Secretary of Interior Lyle Laverty; representatives from the Portland offices of U.S. Sens. Gordon Smith, R-Ore., and Ron Wyden, D-Ore.; the governor’s natural resources policy adviser, Suzanne Knapp, and U.S. Rep. David Wu, D-Ore. The ceremony concluded with comments from Richard Louv, acclaimed author of the book “Last Child in the Woods.”

Penner went on to describe how the Friends’ nature store brought in a good haul and both adults and children enjoyed nature walks and hands-on activities, which included seeing a bald eagle through a spotting scope.

In addition to support from the Friends of the Refuge, many local businesses, media, government agencies, and individuals in the Portland community lent their support to make the Wildlife Center happen, and as Penner says, “The day represented the beginning of the refuge’s mission to be a place and an idea where people, and especially children, could connect with nature and all of the wonders it holds within.”

Congratulations to the Friends of the Refuge and all the supporters of Tualatin River NWR in Oregon.

Visit the Friends of the Refuge website to learn more about their activities to support the refuge, and visit the Tualatin River NWR website to learn more about the wildlife, habitat, and recreational opportunities at the refuge.

Tags:
wildlife, wildlife refuge, Tualatin River NWR, Oregon