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| Outdoor enthusiasts will find more to enjoy at refuge | ||||||
| The White River National Wildlife Refuge has always attracted a myriad of wildlife and migratory birds with its natural setting, and now it is hoping to attract more people to enjoy the scene. The refuge has unveiled a new $2.6-million visitors center to showcase the White River, the refuge and the history of east-central Arkansas. The grand opening for the center, located just south of St. Charles, will be Oct. 11. The new center houses a bookstore, environmental education classroom and interpretive exhibits that focus on bottomland hardwood forests, prehistoric animals, the Civil War, Native Americans and more. Long-range plans call for the development of two miles of trails around the center. Established in 1935 for the protection of migratory birds, the refuge covers approximately 160,000 acres and is home to the nation’s largest contiguous block of bottomland hardwood forest under single ownership. The refuge lies in the floodplain of the White River near where it meets the Mississippi River. With 300 lakes and fertile forests, the refuge is home to an array of animals. More than 250 different types of birds can be spotted, along with a host of other wildlife, including deer, foxes, mink, river otters and even black bears. The center’s grand opening is being held in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the nation’s refuge system, which was born in 1903 when President Theodore Roosevelt designated Pelican Island on the east coast of Florida as the first refuge. Today, 540 refuges nationwide encompass more than 95 million acres of land. For details about the White River National Wildlife Refuge, call (870) 946-1468, or visit http://whiteriver.fws.gov. |
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