06/16/2026
Some of our seniors visited the Refuge Center here in Columbia, and what an amazing experience it was! We were welcomed and guided by Ms. Laura Neitzey, who was kind enough to open the center specifically for our senior group. We are so thankful for her generosity, hospitality, and willingness to share her knowledge with us.
And we learned some things:
🤔 Did you know?
🐻 The refuge an incredible 110,000 acres of wildlife habitat—all managed by just two full-time employees and few volunteers!
🐻 One of the largest black bears recorded in the area weighed 860 pounds!
🐻 In 2013, approximately 15,000 bears were reported throughout the refuge area. Why so many bears? Because of natural resources, mama bears can have a more cubs.
It's amazing what we can discover right here in our own backyard. Sometimes we don't realize the beauty, history, and wildlife surrounding us until we take the time to explore our own community—and we're certainly glad we did!
We would also like to share that the Refuge Center is currently looking for volunteers. Whether you can give one day a month or even just an hour of your time, your help would be greatly appreciated.
For volunteer opportunities, please contact:
Allison Kladler — [email protected] or 252-473-1131, Extension 2
A heartfelt thank you again to Ms. Laura and the Refuge Center for making today so special. Our seniors truly enjoyed the experience, and we look forward to many more adventures discovering all the wonderful things Tyrrell County has to offer! ❤️