How do you commemorate a century of work that has resulted in the conservation of our country's rich natural resources? How do you summarize the National Wildlife Refuge System's perseverance that has brought numerous species from the brink of extinction? Is it possible to sum up the feelings and attitudes that have evolved over the post hundred years regarding the value of wildlife, an ideological shift that the National Wildlife Refuge System has been integral to bringing about? Very simply, such an endeavor would be impossible. Regardless, hundreds of refuges across the country will be assembling time capsules in an effort to preserve the memories and efforts of the National Wildlife Refuge Systems first hundred years. The intent is to open the capsule 100 years from now.

CNWR will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Refuge System on March 14, 2003, with a public dedication of a time capsule. Various memorabilia and historical items will be placed in a time capsule and put on display in the Herbert H. Bateman Educational and Administrative Center for the rest of 2003. After the centennial year, the time capsule will be stored in the archives of the Center, to be opened in a hundred years. In addition, each refuge donated items for a national time capsule that will be dedicated at Pelican Island NWR, the first refuge. Following the commemoration, the items will be on display at the National Conservation Training Center in West Virginia. Be sure not to miss the dedication or display - your next chance will be in 2103 !

Alison McGuire
SCEP Student