Kodiak City Mayor Floyd, Kodiak Island Borough Mayor Selby, Governor Murkowski and Director Melius break ground in downtown Kodiak.

Visitors mingle and enjoy the sun at groundbreaking celebration. Photo by Emily Jennings.

Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge celebrated the groundbreaking of the new Kodiak Refuge Visitor Center on May 26^th 2006. The event was cheered on by sunny skies and warm temperatures and welcomed folks from Kodiak and across the state of Alaska.  Local guest speakers included mayors of the Kodiak Island Borough and City of Kodiak, respectively, who lauded past collaborations in planning this new facility and welcomed the opportunity for new partnerships.

Alaska Governor Frank Murkowski also welcomed visitors and Refuge staff, praising the long history of research and education between the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the Fish and Wildlife Service. The Governor echoed others in sharing his vision of continued research and education on behalf of Kodiak’s bears. Refuge staff were pleased to welcome keynote speaker, Regional Director Tom Melius, who warmly welcomed the Kodiak community to consider the Refuge and the new facility as their neighbor.  The Regional Director invited everyone to return in the summer of 2007 for the grand opening of the 8,000 square foot structure and enhanced environmental education program for Kodiak residents and visitors alike.