The Wildlife Center of Virginia has scheduled five open houses for Spring 2010.  These are rare opportunitites 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.

The Spring 2010 open houses will be held on:

• Sunday, March 7 [all tours are full]
• Sunday, March 21 [all tours are full]
• Sunday, March 28 [12:30 and 2:00 p.m. tours are full]
• Sunday, April 11 [2:00 p.m. tour is full]; and
• Sunday, April 25. 

Tours are offered on each day at 12:30, 2:00, and 3:30 p.m.

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. 

There is no charge to particate 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 Education Department to make alternate arrangements.

During the open house, visitors will tour the Center’s building, including the medical clinic [examination room, operating room, 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, owls [Great Horned, Screech, and Barred], Red-Tailed Hawks, several different species of snakes, and Virginia Opossums. As most of these animals live in outdoor homes, these tours are offered weather permitting.

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