Patuxent Research Refuge - National Wildlife Visitor Center - Laurel, MD
The Patuxent Research Refuge is the nation's only National Wildlife Refuge established to support wildlife research. With land surrounding the Patuxent and Little Patuxent Rivers between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, Md., the refuge encompasses 12,750 acres along these Chesapeake Bay tributaries. Patuxent's mission is to conserve and protect wildlife and habitat through research and wildlife management techniques. Research at the refuge was instrumental in the return of osprey's to the Bay.
Patuxent Research Refuge supports a wide diversity of wildlife in forest, meadow, and wetland habitats. During the fall and spring migrations, many waterfowl species stop to rest and feed. More than 200 species of birds occur on the refuge. A pair of bald eagles has nested at the refuge since 1989.
The refuge is also the site of the National Wildlife Visitor Center, with exhibits on various aspects of wildlife conservation both in the Chesapeake and nation-wide.
The visitor center is open daily from 9:00am – 4:30pm.
Tram tours of the refuge run every day during the summer and on weekends from mid-March to mid-November from 11:30am – 3:00pm.
There is no fee for the visitor center. Tram tickets: $3 per person.
There is no charge for children age 2 and under who do not require a seat.
For more information about Patuxent Research Refuge - National Wildlife Visitor Center call (301) 497-5763 or visit the following website: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Patuxent/.