Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Community Conservation Education Center Planned Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge invites the public to come and learn about the new Community Conservation Education Center planned for the refuge. Thursday, March 23rd from 4 to 7PM   Titusville: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to construct a new Community Conservation Education Center (CCEC) at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). The existing 30-year old visitor center has significant structural and mechanical deficiencies, in addition to being too small to adequately serve an increasing level of visitation (80,000 visitors per year). Demand from local schools for environmental education programs is 2-3 times the capacity of the current facility and daily visitation surpasses 600 people per day during winter and early spring. The proposed CCEC (8,100 SF) would include a large exhibit area, multipurpose meeting room and retail space (to be operated by the Refuge Friends group), staff offices, a state-of-the-art environmental education building, and outdoor facilities (e.g., children's nature-based play area). The Service invites the public to an open house on Thursday, March 23rd from 4 to 7PM at the existing visitor center. Concept designs for the new facilities will be on display and refuge staff will be on hand to gather input from visitors as to how the new Center can best serve the needs of the community. Everyone is welcome at the this free event and reservations are not required. For more information contact Kim King-Wrenn at 321-861-2384. CLICK HERE FOR PRINTABLE FLYER WITH DETAILS Connect with us on social media:       Kim King-Wrenn Visitor Services Manager Merritt Island NWR PO Box 2683 Titusville, FL 32781 321-861-2384 Kimberly_King-Wrenn@fws.gov Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is part of the National Wildlife Refuge System which is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov. The Visitor Center is located on SR 402, 5 miles east of U.S. 1 in Titusville. More Refuge programs BACK to Merritt Island NWR BACK to Educational Resources from North Brevard A service of the North Brevard Business Directory