A 30 Year Parternship with Shenandoah National Park

Saturday, May 21, at the Byrd Visitors Center at Big Meadows in Shenandoah National Park started with a cold, rainy, foggy morning. To make things even drearier, the power was out! But that did not dampen the spirits of the park visitors who gathered for a very special celebration. In a brief, but entertaining ceremony, the Wildlife Center of Virginia and the Interpretive Rangers of Shenandoah National Park celebrated a 30-year partnership, through which more than 200,000 park visitors have had the opportunity to see live birds of prey, and learn about the conservation of these and other species.

Back in 1986, the then-fledgling Wildlife Center of Virginia was operating out of a double-wide trailer in Weyers Cave, Virginia. In spite of only having been in existence for four years, at that point, the Wildlife Center had made quite a name for itself in the Mid-Atlantic States, with award-winning conservation education presentations for audiences of all ages. These programs featured an assortment of live, non-releasable wildlife, including eagles, hawks, and owls. Among the venues that had hosted the Wildlife Center’s programs were a number of campgrounds and auditoriums inside Shenandoah National Park.

It did not take long for Shenandoah National Park Interpretive Ranger Terry Lindsay, and Wildlife Center President Ed Clark to become friends. Before long, that friendship led to a partnership through which the Wildlife Center and Shenandoah National Park began to work hand-in-hand to educate the public about wildlife. Since it was impractical for the Wildlife Center to visit the park several times a week to present bird of prey programs, it was decided that Park staff would be trained and supported to do these programs on their own. Mentored by the Wildlife Center’s staff, Park personnel learned to handle and care for a variety of hawks and owls which had come to the Wildlife Center as patients, but which, for one reason or another, could not be released. Initially, a Red-tailed Hawk and a Barred Owl that had also been trained for education programs were placed on “permanent loan” in the Park. The Wildlife Center agreed to help care for the birds and provide them will regular check-ups and routine medical care. In return, the Park agreed to educate park visitors, not only about the birds, but also about the work of the nonprofit Wildlife Center of Virginia.

Ranger Terry and his son then ... and now!

 

Today, some 30 years later, more then 200,000 have learned about Virginia’s birds of prey and the work of Wildlife Center. It is one of the longest-standing public/private partnerships in the country between a National Park and a private conservation organization. To mark this milestone and express the Park’s appreciation for three decades of support and collaboration, Shenandoah National Park Interpretive Ranger Mara Miesel presented Wildlife Center President Ed Clark with a beautiful plaque memorializing the special relationship. Visitors were then treated to a special visit by a variety of live wildlife ambassadors from both the Park and the Wildlife Center. According to Clark, “This is an example of how public and private agencies and institutions need to work together. Because of this relationship, more than 200,000 people have had the chance to meet these special animals and hear this important message. I am confident this relationship will last another 30 years, or more!”