In April of 2019, ground was broken to begin construction of a brand new headquarters and visitor center for Canaan Valley’s National Wildlife Refuge. The new building location is on the same campus as the previous structure. Only this time the building footprint would grow to 8,200 square feet.
Demolition was much needed as the original building was constructed for a restaurant in 1975 and by 2010 the infrastructure was shot. Plus, there was a need to better serve the visitor’s refuge encounter with education and a tangible experience. This starts with a proper welcoming and ends with a lifelong appreciation through hands on hiking, hunting, boating, or biking.
Within the new headquarters are office and professional spaces for both US Fish and Wildlife along with Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge staff. Most importantly, a substantial portion of the building has been reserved for public services. A 60-seat meeting room, a 14-seat conference room, 10 museum-style exhibits in the visitor center area, an outdoor kiosk containing additional exhibits and a glass-fronted bookstore.
Read more about the wildlife center at Canaan Valley: