If you look at the Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan maps (link), you’ll see a large green space at the northern end of the county, at the end of Shepherd Grade Road north of Shepherdstown. These 532 acres along the Potomac River, formerly owned by the Hendrix family, are the home of the National Conservation Training Center (also known by its acronym, NCTC). As you drive along the road, you’ll spot the official “government property” signs along the fence, but there’s nothing secret about what goes on here.
According to Steve Chase, the Director of NCTC, the center is the “home” of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. According to its website, the service is responsible for “conservation and management of fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the American people.” Chase describes the day-to-day activities at NCTC as exactly what the name implies — training. He notes that thousands of people from federal agencies, state agencies, non-governmental organizations and private organizations participate in the classroom training program offered year-round at the center.
Inviting The Public
With all those programs and participants in the weekday training programs, Chase and his staff are pretty busy. But they also offer lectures, films, and other programs that are open to the public. He recalled that the center used to have a regular open house every year, but they took a break after 2010 and it never restarted. Chase and his team decided this year would be the time to relaunch the open house. On May 11, the NCTC will host a day-long series of events, running from 10 am to 3 pm. There will be activities for both kids and adults, including:
Get up close to various birds of prey with demonstration by Master falconer Colin Waybright and the Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia.
Experience stepping inside a full-size bald eagle nest replica constructed by NCTC staff and watch real birds in the local nest via livestream camera.
Hear the stories and history of the local indigenous residents of the Shepherdstown area, told by Matthew “Maasaw” Howard.
Watch Judy’s Creek and Serengeti, two family-friendly short films from this year’s Conservation Film Festival (shows at 10:30, 12:30, 2:00).
Learn about wetlands, waterfowl, and conservation and find out how to participate in the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Program and Art Contest open to all K-12 students.
Take a short “storybook” hike along one of the many trails, organized by the Potomac Valley Audubon Society.
Explore what owls eat, up close and hands-on as you dissect owl pellets and get a detailed look at the food chain.
About the May 11 event: Location: 698 Conservation Way, Shepherdstown (take Shepherds Grade Road north from Shepherdstown). Doors open at 9:30 am. All programs end at 3 pm. Water and food will be available for purchase from 11 am to 2:30 pm. NCTC encourages you to bring your own water bottle and wear comfortable walking shoes. There is ample parking, carpooling is recommended. Open house is rain or shine — bring a jacket or poncho according to the weather forecast.
Other NCTC Programs Open To The Public
The Friends of the National Conservation Training Center is a non-profit group that organizes volunteers and raises funds to support programming for the public at the NCTC. Web: FriendsOfNCTC.org.
By Staff Contributor