We are truly appreciative for this place we have come to know, love and call home. These incredible 20 acres in Darlington where our at one time seemingly unattainable vision for the Susquehannock Wildlife Center is now rapidly coming to life. Just four years ago today this small farm noted for its impressive array of habitat and wildlife diversity was purchased by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources so that it would become Hopkins Branch Wildlife Management Area. Thanks to our great partnership we have been able to care for and enhance this beautiful place for a wide variety of wildlife species and the public who seeks to enjoy them.
In just over a year we’ve completed our stargazing and wildlife viewing platform, added nesting boxes for everything from owls to flying squirrels, created a new vernal pool, turned our barn into a classroom space, enhanced habitat for the Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly, planted a native wildflower meadow, planted a persimmon orchard and pawpaw grove, started an outdoor turtle pond enclosure, and are building an outdoor green bathroom. Even though we are still not open to the public, we’ve had wildlife movie nights, campfires, stargazing events, hikes, hosted scout projects and school projects from elementary to college students, conducted research, as well as held countless volunteer days to maintain, renovate and enhance the property.
We still have some big goals, perhaps some of the biggest, that we are to achieve to help the Wildlife Center fully reach its potential and open to the public. These are now underway or in their planning stages and include a research lab, enhanced accessibility, an additional classroom space and our museum quality exhibit floor focusing on the local ecosystems featuring up-close looks at rare, declining, unusual and misunderstood species of the lower Susquehanna region. Help us see that our vision becomes a reality and invest in the future of your local wildlife!
