On Saturday March 13th, a lovely (almost) Spring day with Wood Frogs and Spring Peepers singing and Spotted Salamanders swimming around the leaf litter of our pond, we thought back to six years ago when 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, home of the soon to be open Susquehannock Wildlife Center!
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. With our eagerness to open and share this incredible place with more people six years feels like a lifetime, but on other days it feels like we have accomplished so much in a short time.
We are truly appreciative for this place we have come to know, love and call home. It is on these incredible 20 acres in Darlington where our at one time seemingly unattainable vision for a first of its kind center for research, education and conservation focused on the globally significant ecosystems of the Lower Susquehanna region is rapidly coming to life thanks to the hard work of our dedicated team, our volunteers and our amazing partners, all fueled by the support of our wonderful community!
Even though we are still not open to the public, we’ve had many special events and hosted a variety of research activities, habitat restorations or enhancements, and Scout projects with one even taking place today (more on that to come)! We are excited to soon announce a brand new event to safely celebrate and help us enter the final phase before opening the center in commemoration of our 10th Anniversary as an organization.
We are targeting to complete all of our remaining renovations this spring, leaving the final and most exciting portion of our goal to build our special educational exhibits. In the months to come you will have the unique opportunity to be a part of completion of the Wildlife Center!
With your continued help and investment in our mission and your local wildlife, our vision will soon become a reality! We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts!
