Kenai National Wildlife Refuge celebrated National Wildlife Refuge Week two weeks early by inviting community members to the long-awaited dedication of its 32 foot by 44 foot log Environmental Education Center.  Over 100 people attended the event that included food, family activities, and a ribbon cutting by Todd Logan, Chief of the National Wildlife Refuge System in Alaska.  Each year about 2,500 students from south central Alaska participate in a variety of education programs at the Refuge.  The new building will improve the experience for these students and provide opportunities to expand educational programs throughout the year.  Environmental education is one of Kenai Refuge's Congressionally mandated purposes under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA).  Each year the Refuge celebrates Refuge Week with an open house and community outreach activity.  This year was special because the celebration focused around a structure, several years in the making, that will provide community benefits for many years to come.