Sen. Carper's name honored during his visit to Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge
SMYRNA — The recently constructed visitor center now has a quite impactful name to go with it.
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Sen. Carper's name honored during his visit to Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge
By SMYRNA — The recently constructed visitor center at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge has the name of a longtime conservation champion to go with it.
It’s now the Senator Thomas R. Carper Visitor Center.
The announcement by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service came at a ceremony Friday honoring Sen. Carper. A sign with his name was unveiled in front of the visitor center as well.
The recognition was well-earned, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Regional Director Wendi Weber said.
“Sen. Carper has been an incredible champion of natural resources for many, many, many years,” she said.
“In his time in Delaware he’s done so much for the state’s natural resources, conservation and communities here.
“Working with him, his support of conservation for national wildlife refuges and all the wildlife that shares this place with us, he’s been an incredible champion.
“He really has found ways to work across the aisle in support of our mission.”
Construction of the visitor center concluded in October 2023 and Sen. Carper said he envisioned a long-lasting impact.
“My hope is that folks, first of all, will just get a great history lesson and understand what was started (by the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937) was relevant then and why it is relevant today,” said the senator, who plans to retire at the end of his term on Jan. 3, 2025.
“(We need to remember) what are our opportunities and obligations as human beings to protect God’s creation, preserve it going forward and in doing so providing a more wonderful place for our kids and grandchildren to grow up on.”
The refuge, at 2591 Whitehall Neck Road, sees more than 111,000 visitors annually “to enjoy hiking, biking, photography and some of the best birdwatching on the East Coast,” a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service news release said.
For information, visit fws.gov/refuge/bombay-hook or friendsofbombayhook.org.
