FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 11, 2003

Contact:
Lindsey Gordon, 772-234-2078 lgordon@webershandwick.com
Cindy Hoffman, 772-234-2078 Cindy_Hoffman@fws.gov or
Mitch Snow, 202-208-5634 Mitch_Snow@fws.gov

 

Time Capsules to Preserve Rare Artifacts

WASHINGTON, D.C.-- As the National Wildlife Refuge System prepares to celebrate its Centennial anniversary on March 14th, over 100 wildlife refuges are preparing commemorative time capsules, making this the largest dedication of time capsules in the new millennium. Across the country, wildlife refuges will host time capsule ceremonies, which will be open to the public and will showcase the unique artifacts that will be buried for the next 100 years.

Pelican Island will unveil a national time capsule display on March 13th, featuring artifacts from many of America’s 540 National Wildlife Refuges. Artifacts including a bison fur from National Bison Range NWR in Montana, a polar bear hide from Selawik NWR in Alaska, a whooping crane puppet head from Necedah NWR in Wisconsin and tule elk antlers from San Luis NWR in California are just some of the many interesting items that tell the story of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

“One hundred years ago, President Roosevelt left us a great gift in the creation of the National Wildlife Refuge System. The time capsules that we seal today are our gift to future generations,” said Steve Williams, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “We hope that the items we will preserve in these time capsules will help future generations understand the great pride we have in our refuges and inspire them to carry on the Roosevelt legacy.”

“This is a truly exciting time capsule effort by the Fish and Wildlife Service,” said Paul Hudson, co-founder of the International Time Capsule Society. “Time capsules are a valuable reminder from one generation to another, and conservation of America’s natural heritage is an important message to send forward through time.”

Provided below is a complete listing of time capsule events and dates. For other Centennial events taking place across the country throughout the year, please visit http://refuges.fws.gov. If you would like more information on the National Wildlife Refuge System’s Centennial, a specific event taking place in your area, or a wildlife refuge near you, please contact Lindsey Gordon at 772-234-2078 or visit: http://refuges.fws.gov/centennial/index.html.

Note to Broadcast Media:

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 540 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 81 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.

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Time Capsule Dates and Locations: Events are listed alphabetically by state

Thursday, March 6:

Saturday, March 8

Tuesday, March 11:

Thursday, March 13:

Friday, March 14:

March 15, 2003:

March 21, 2003:

March 22, 2003:

March 29, 2003:

March 30, 2003:

April 19, 2003:

April 22, 2003:

May 10, 2003:

May 16, 2003:

May 17, 2003:

May 23, 2003:

May 24, 2003:

July 31, 2003:

 

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For more information about the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, visit our home page at http://southeast.fws.gov/ or http://www.fws.gov/.

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NOTE: You can view our releases or subscribe to receive them -- via e-mail -- at the Service's Southeast Regional home page at http://southeast.fws.gov. Our national home page is at: http://news.fws.gov/newsreleases/.

Atlanta, GA 30345
Phone: 404/679-7289 Fax: 404/679-7286