MANTEO, N.C. — The Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge near North Carolina’s coast will have a visitor center next year.
The Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk, Va., reported that an almost $5 million contract has been awarded for the construction of a visitor center and headquarters at the refuge on Roanoke Island along the Outer Banks. Construction is scheduled to be finished within 18 months.
Deputy refuge manager Scott Lanier says the visitor center will help the refuge provide information to the public. He says there’s little to tell people about the 154,000-acre refuge now other than a few signs and kiosks off U.S. 64.. The refuge was established in 1984 and straddles mainland Dare and Hyde counties. It attracts about 45,000 visitors annually. It’s home to large populations of bear, red wolves, raptors and, birds.
According to a 2008 report, The proposed visitor center will serve as a gateway, not only for adventure into Alligator River
Refuge, but also to encourage the many visitors to the Outer Banks to venture inland to other local national wildlife refuges. There will be a growing responsibility to reach out to local and national communities about the refuge’s importance as a valuable piece of the puzzle that connects all wildlife habitats together. This reports also offers a wealth of information about wildlife in the area.
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