State wildlife center at reduced operations - WOWK 13 Charleston, Huntington WV News, Weather, Sports

State wildlife center at reduced operations

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  • COUNTRY ROADS JOURNALCountry Roads Journal

  • Thursday, May 23 2013 1:20 PM EDT2013-05-23 17:20:22 GMT
    Most activities will begin or occur at the Nature Center, but events are scheduled throughout Canaan Valley and the historic towns of Davis, Thomas, and Parsons.
    Most activities will begin or occur at the Nature Center, but events are scheduled throughout Canaan Valley and the historic towns of Davis, Thomas, and Parsons.

  • Thursday, May 23 2013 9:55 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:55:53 GMT
    John Hargleroad, director of operations, says that all the Oglebay facilities will be open beginning May 24 with some special activities planned for the Memorial Day weekend.
    John Hargleroad, director of operations, says that all the Oglebay facilities will be open beginning May 24 with some special activities planned for the Memorial Day weekend.

  • Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:33 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:33:30 GMT
    CHARLESTON, WV — West Virginia's Division of Culture and History will celebrate the traditional music of West Virginia on Memorial Day weekend, May 24-25, at the Culture Center during the 37th annual Vandalia
    CHARLESTON, WV — West Virginia's Division of Culture and History will celebrate the traditional music of West Virginia on Memorial Day weekend, May 24-25, at the Culture Center during the 37th annual Vandalia Gathering. The family-friendly event is free.
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The West Virginia Wildlife Center in French Creek has partially reopened following storm damage recovery, but is operating at reduced capacity, according to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.

Gene Thorn, WVDNR wildlife biologist in charge of the Wildlife Center, said "The snowstorm of Oct. 30-31 that swept through the Appalachians in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy dumped more than two feet of heavy, wet snow in French Creek, bringing down numerous trees and branches. Unfortunately, our facility suffered extensive damage. We are working diligently to clean up the area and make repairs, but the process will be lengthy."

Wildlife Center staff has removed the downed trees and limbs from the road and loop trail. People will be allowed to walk the loop trail for now, but during the reconstruction phase there will be no public access to the loop. There will be no tours until reconstruction is completed. The parking lot and road to the picnic area will remain open for walkers.

"Donations to the Wildlife Center are always appreciated and will help with repairs," Thorn said in a news release.

No tax dollars are used to provide the public with this state-of-the-art zoological park and wildlife educational facility which displays native animals and birds of West Virginia. The mailing address for donations is WV State Wildlife Center, PO Box 38, French Creek, WV 26218.

Check the WVDNR website for updated information regarding the reopening of the Wildlife Center at http://www.wvdnr.gov/Wildlife/WildlifeCenter.shtm.