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A Note from the Director
Not long after I moved to Alabama in 1985, I met Little River Canyon.
It was through my new role at the Anniston Museum of Natural History, on my way to Guntersville State Park to give a talk, I remember driving over the river for the first time on the old Highway 35 bridge. My friend and fellow environmental educator, Linda Reynolds, was hosting her phenomenal Eagle Weekend event and for maybe a decade, in the dead of winter, when Bald Eagles soared overhead, I traveled there to speak to her groups of wildlife enthusiasts—always with a few permanently injured “educational” raptors by my side. There was an obvious hunger for more environmental education.
So, back in the day, we created the JSU Field School, and sometimes I’d give talks at DeSoto State Park. Working with Talmadge Butler and Ken Thomas, we started in a small classroom and before long, it was obvious we needed more space. Now, nearly 40 years later, we not only have the space we dreamed of, but also our dream partner: the National Park Service.
I look back at the other partnerships that allowed the National Preserve and Canyon Center to grow. Our University, Alabama Power, DeSoto State Park, the Alabama Conservancy, Fort Payne, DeKalb and Cherokee Counties, Congressmen Bevill, Cramer, Aderholt, and Young, Senator Shelby, Randy Owen, and JSU Presidents McGee, Meehan, and now Killingsworth—all have been key to our success. And of course, my most important partnership has always been my family. I’m thankful to all.
Serving as Director of the Canyon Center has been a privilege. Thanks to our outstanding staff and volunteers, we’ve brought high-level conservation, science, culture, tourism, economic impact, and excitement to this region.
On September 30th, in just a few weeks, I will retire from full-time work at JSU. Like never before, I look forward to the future of both the Preserve and the Center. I’m optimistic that the new Director will bring fresh ideas while building on our past success. Applications are still being received, and an Acting Director will serve until the permanent Director is selected.
In any case, I plan to stay involved and hope we’ll keep in touch, but this is, for sure, my last Director’s Note. Thank you for your support of me and especially your continued support of the Preserve and the Center!
Pete Conroy
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