Greetings

In 2011, Patuxent celebrates it's 75th anniversary. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt on December 16, 1936 established the Patuxent Research Refuge, the Nation's first research refuge.

Interestingly J.N. "Ding" Darling, the founder of the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), was the visionary behind the creation of Patuxent. NWF is also celebrating it's 75th anniversary in 2011.  We are planning an event at Patuxent in conjunction with NWF's 75th event on April 16th with NWF members touring our facility and volunteering for conservation projects here at Patuxent.

We have established a 75th anniversary seminar series open to the public and we hope to have several workshops on various issues of interest to a wide audience for the next year.

Our major activities will take place in the week of October 13-15, 2011 when we invite the public and our alumni to celebrate with us.  We will have numerous events during the week which will culminate on Saturday Oct 15th as part of the Wildlife Festival activities at the Visitor Center.

Dr. Matthew Perry has accepted an assignment as the Senior Advisor to the Center Director coordinating our anniversary activities. He has established a committee, in conjunction with FWS, to plan and execute the exciting events for 2011.  Please consider this as an invitation for our staff and the public to contribute your ideas and assistance to make these events memorable.

Feel free to contact Matt, via phone (301-497-5622) or Email (mperry@usgs.gov) with your ideas on activities and on how you can participate in our celebration.  

Dr. Gregory J. Smith, Director
USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
12100 Beech Forest Road
Laurel, MD 20708 USA
TEL 301.497.5503