The Wildlife Center’s open houses are rare opportunities to see the inner workings of the nation’s premier wildlife hospital, as well as to meet some of the wildlife that serve as the Center’s education ambassadors. 

As a wildlife emergency room and hospital, the Wildlife Center is not usually open to the public. The seasonal open houses are the times during the year when visitors may tour the Waynesboro facility. 

The six Spring 2012 open houses will be held on:

• Sunday, February 26 [All tours are full];
• Sunday, March 4 [All tours are full];
• Saturday, March 17 [All tours are full];
• Sunday, March 25 [All tours are full];
• Saturday, April 7 [All tours are full].

On each of these days, we’ll be offering three tours – at 12:30, 2:00, and 3:30 p.m. 

And we’ll offer one late-season open house – on Sunday, May 6.

Tours on May 6 will be at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. [Both tours are now full].

There is no charge to participate in an open house; however, reservations are required [540.942.9453 or wildlife@wildlifecenter.org].  A limited number of spaces are available for each session.  Reservations may be made for up to five individuals; children must be accompanied by parents or guardians.  Larger groups [school groups, scout troops, etc.] are encouraged to contact the Center’s outreach department to make alternate arrangements.

During the open house, visitors will tour the Center’s building, including the medical clinic [examination room, operating room, kitchen, etc.]

In addition, visitors will get to “meet” the Center’s education animals – some of the 20 non-releasable animals that the Center’s education staff uses in school assemblies and classroom presentations. Included in the Center’s education “faculty” are a Golden Eagle and a Bald Eagle, owls [Great Horned, Screech, and Barred], a Red-Tailed Hawk, several different species of snakes, and Virginia Opossums. As most of these animals live in outdoor homes, these tours are offered weather permitting.

Patients will not be seen during the tours.  The Center works to limit human interaction with patients and keep them as stress-free as possible.  

Located in Waynesboro, Virginia, the Wildlife Center is just 1/2 mile off I-64.

Because parking at the Center is tight, we’ll be asking those who are able to park in our “auxiliary” lot – at our nearby Bear Oak education area.  It’s a gentle and scenic half-mile trail from that lot to the Center – and allows you to explore part of the beautiful National Forest that surrounds the Center.  Just follow the “Bear Oak” signs when you arrive at the Center.