Project
Description
Status and Timeline
Soaring Eagle Wetland
A major wetland preserve in Centre County (~135 acres, including ~55 acres of wetland), along Bald Eagle Creek. The aim is to make it fully ADA-compliant, with trails, fishing/observation platforms, pavilion, interpretive signage, pavilion, restrooms, etc., to provide accessible nature experiences and outdoor classrooms.
Phase 1 (ADA-trail, fishing platform, observation area, signage) was awarded to contractor in mid-2022; expected completion: late 2022.
Phase 2 includes additional accessible trails, OC blinds, restrooms, pavilion, expanded signage; target completion around 2024–2025.
Dreibelbis Birding Area (Galen & Nancy Dreibelbis Viewing Area)
A “wilder” wetland/birding habitat, with linear trails, viewing blinds, ADA-compliant parking. Over 190 bird species have been observed here. Designed to give visitors opportunities for birding, observing marsh & water birds, and enjoying wetlands.
Completed first phase: viewed blinds, linear trails, ADA parking, opened for visitors by spring migration after 2020–2021.
Maintenance & visitation ongoing; this site is already in use.
Wildlife Education & Research Center
A proposed facility near State College: offices & labs for wildlife biologists, public classrooms, interactive exhibits, an auditorium, library, galleries, etc. To serve both educational programming and research. Part of long-term strategy to centralize functions and increase outreach.
In design/planning phase: work underway with architecture firm (JSA Architecture). Fundraising via a $12 million capital campaign is ongoing. Project still not built.
Scholarship Program
Annual scholarships (up to five awards of $1,000 each) to undergraduate students in fields related to conservation, ecology, wildlife biology, natural resources, etc. Recipients also get one-year membership and are encouraged to be involved in WFEF events.
Applications open annually; recent cycle: application deadline Feb 2025, awarded at the Soaring Eagle event.