More renovations are coming to the Hunting Island Nature Center including upgrades to the Center, and Nature’s Classroom, with a focus on bringing interpretive exhibits to visitors and providing educational content of our barrier wild island habitat, surroundings and wildlife
In a quest to renovate the Nature Center, Friends of Hunting Island applied for a grant and was awarded 30k by the 2% State Accommodation Tax, or ATAX, on overnight stays, which go toward projects that promote tourism and attract visitors.
FOHI Construction Director, Randal Brown, HISP Park Manager Brandon Goff, and FOHI President Linda Miller made the presentation to the city’s Tourism Development Advisory Committee in September, 2022.
The Friends of Hunting Island Board of Directors agreed to support this project, with another 75k contribution, for a total budget of $105k for a 2023 renovation to the Center and Interpretive Nature Classroom.
“We are thrilled to have this capital to be able to put together a vital upgrade to our Nature Center, and Nature’s Classroom, with a focus on bringing interpretive exhibits to our visitors and educational content of our barrier wild island habitat, surroundings and wildlife,” the organization said in a release.
“This will also compliment the newly renovated Pier and give visitors to Hunting Island a great reason to spend time on the southern tip of this beautiful environmental space.”
“Your money is well spent and will see a great evolution to the Nature Center and Nature’s Classroom next year!”
The Center has gone through some dramatic changes over the past few years.
Recent work has included new walls, paint, lighting fixtures and flooring. And, those new walls and ceilings have all been joined together in a mural painted by local artist Aki Kato.
The Center now also houses a theater for longer films, and a touch screen display has been installed presenting five short videos about important features of the island: The Lighthouse, The Turtles of Hunting Island, The History of Hunting Island, Barrier Island Ecology, and the Civilian Conservation Corps Builds the Harbor River Swing Bridge.
Also installed was a virtual Hunting Island lighthouse so those who cannot climb to the top can still see the 360-degree view
