Wildlife refuge visitor center makeover a real eye-opener

ALABAMA — The plan seemed simple enough for the renovation of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge headquarters and visitor center on Casey Road.

Make it interesting and focus of the three main objectives of the refuge: Habitat, wildlife and people.

Interesting it is and stepping inside the doorway at the new $4.5 million center is as awe-inspiring as watching an eagle soar across a marsh just down the road.

“We wanted this to be a teaser for all the things you see on the refuge,” manager Thomas Roster said. “The idea was to create an ecological puzzle piece for Western New York.

“The big thing is that when people walk in, their eyes light up.”

Roster offered a tour of the new center Saturday morning before the annual meeting of Friends of the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge. Many came early for the meeting, spending time walking through the exhibits.

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