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Press Release

October 5, 2020

WILDLIFE FOR EVERYONE FOUNDATION AWARDS CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR ACCESSIBLE WETLAND

State College, PA - The Board of the Wildlife for Everyone Foundation recently awarded GlennO. Hawbaker, Inc., State College, the contract to develop the Julian Wetland in Centre County into a user-friendly natural area. When completed, the Julian Wetland, located in Huston Township, will offer a nature destination to be enjoyed by all persons regardless of their physical ability.

“We are so pleased to partner with the Hawbaker company as they were instrumental in the early stages of the wetland design which helped the Foundation secure the initial grants for the accessible wetlands project,” comments Janet Nyce, president of the Wildlife for Everyone Foundation.

During this stressful pandemic time, the desire for outdoor recreation has been on the rise. Natural areas provide a serene space to detach from emotionally-charged lives and focus on the beauty of nature. The Julian Wetland will provide all persons the opportunity to recharge by connecting to the natural world.

Projected costs for the Julian Wetland are $135,000 and will include accessible blinds, linear trails and ADA-compliant parking. The Julian Wetland attracts birders who come to observe the more uncommon migrating species as well as resident birds. Typical birds in season include song sparrows, belted kingfishers, red-winged blackbirds and eastern bluebirds. Waterfowl such as wood ducks, hooded mergansers, green herons and American bitterns utilize the standing water.

A groundbreaking ceremony will take place on Sunday, October 18. Completion is expected in time for spring migration.

The Wildlife for Everyone Foundation was established in 2004 to provide all wildlife enthusiasts with a way to show their commitment through much-needed financial support for wildlife conservation efforts and education. Since its inception, the Foundation has supported projects including wildlife and wetland habitat improvements, creek and lake restorations, the Seedlings for Schools and Pollinator Garden programs and student educational opportunities. A fully accessible, ADA-compliant wetlands area that will provide residents of central Pennsylvania with an outdoor learning space and nature observatory is planned for 2021. The Foundation’s mission connects all wildlife and nature enthusiasts to the great outdoors, including birders, hunters, anglers, students and everyone with an appreciation for nature’s treasures. For more information, visit www.wildlifeforeveryone.org.



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