Jericho Lane Information Kiosk - Before

Jericho Lane Information Kiosk - After

Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge received some much needed help from an enthusiastic group of volunteers on Thursday October 26, 2006.  Forty Dominion Power employee volunteers were on hand at the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge on a crisp fall morning at 8 a.m. to restore a wildlife observation deck and information kiosk suffering from the ills of Hurricane Isabel and other recent storms. The platform, which overlooks a trail head at the Jericho entrance, is accessible from White Marsh Road in Suffolk, Virginia. The project consisted of replacing deck boards, removing old handrails, widening a walkway leading to the platform, installing an apron along the perimeter of the deck, and installing recently acquired interpretive panels into the kiosk. The group also cleared surrounding underbrush and repaired a near-by hunt kiosk. Within an eight hour period the damaged observation deck and kiosk underwent a much needed face lift.  Dominion Power not only supplied the volunteer work force but also provided $2,500 for building materials and other supplies.

The partnership was the result of a referral by another refuge partner, the City of Suffolk. The City's Tourism Department made all the connections after being approached by Dominion offering resources to improve an outdoor recreational/educational facility and seeing that refuge needs would make a perfect match. The Suffolk Visitor Center works with refuge staff to promote visitor educational opportunities. Our thanks goes out to both the City of Suffolk and Dominion Power - Job well done!!!