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Thru The Lens

By Staff | Dec 16, 2009

rawford, sport editor for the Chronicle, asked if I would like to attend a dedication ceremony at a local wildlife museum. I remember something about a museum, but just could not put a finger on it. I agreed to go along to see what he was excited about.

We traveled across the river to just north of Hannibal to the old aluminum rolling mill site that closed after many years in operation. The site is now the property of the AGI Corporation. The wildlife center is located in one of the buildings that was once used as an office complex. As I entered the building, I was quickly surprised to see the lobby area filled with a variety of different preserved wild animal mounts. It was not Cabela’s, but it was certainly well done and very well staged. This impressive display in the lobby sparked my interest in what other things are housed in the center.

We were met by Mike Willis, founder and executive director the wildlife education center. He welcomed us as he began to show the many aspects of this remarkable faculty. Each room in the building has a different wildlife theme and purpose. But, there was little doubt that the primary purpose was to educate people on the wonders of the outdoors.

Willis was obliviously very proud of how far this operation had come since the first time he met with the owners and permission was given to create an education center. It was also very obvious that not only had Mike done a great deal of work, he also had to have many volunteers to help to create this center.

Mike explained that it has been his passion to help educate young people on the outdoors. For many years, he operated from his home. This center now gave him the opportunity to move his material into a site more accessible to all.

The center’s real asset is the sportsmen who help the operation in its mission to educate. Trapping, fly tying, lure making, a wildlife education video room, and a computer room are just a few of the different programs offered. In total nearly 40 people donate their time to help make this faculty work.

Roy Thomas is one of the volunteers who teaches young people about fishing through a program called Passport. The program is sponsored through the Ohio DNR. He gives instructions on the skill of how to rig a fishing pole, cast, handle fish, and study for understanding better the fish’s habitat. Roy is only one of the certified instructors at the center.

A pond located near Possum Creek was donated to the Ohio DNR by a coal company and will be stocked in the future with a variety of fish. The Passport fishing program will be taught at the pond site when it is complete.

The center also offers the opportunity for kids to borrow a fishing pole to try their luck at catching the big one or just enjoy the efforts in the outdoors. This service is free as long as the equipment is returned so that others may use it.

I was particularly interested in the room used to tie flies and make lures. It was set up so that several people could work at the same time or that a class could be held.

Each table was equipped with a jig to hold the hooks to be tied, along with an assortment of feather, hair, and a variety of materials used in the construction of a fishing fly. The skill of tying flies is an art worth learning and the center is set up to help you learn.

Willis also pointed out that behind the center is a wetland habitat. This close wetland will enable the center to educate people in the importance of habitat for local wildlife along with migratory birds.

Wooden duck boxes have been placed around the area to attract colorful ducks for visitors to enjoy. The ladies who work at the center are going to construct a Blue Bird trail around the wetlands to create another way for visitors to observe wildlife.

The center operates primarily through the help of local financial donations. Timberline is also in the process of applying for grant funding through the Ohio DNR.

And, it is important to note that the operation is only possible thanks to the generous offer by the AGI corporations to use the facility. The use of the building is something that is hard to put a value on. It shows the company’s commitment to the community and a stewardship for the improvement in the wildlife environment.

I would encourage anyone who has an interest in the outdoors to take time and visit the Broken Timber Outdoors Education Center if you have an opportunity.

The staff there would welcome a visit by individuals or a class wishing to learn more about the outdoors.

I will be looking to see the center grow as I look Thru the Lens.

Thru The Lens

By Staff | Dec 16, 2009

Pictured from left, is Sean Logan, director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources; Jimmy Stewart, Ohio State Senator of District 20; Chuck Clegg, president of WV Video Productions; Mike Willis, executive director of the Wildlife Education Center; and Mark Welch, pro fisherman.

rawford, sport editor for the Chronicle, asked if I would like to attend a dedication ceremony at a local wildlife museum. I remember something about a museum, but just could not put a finger on it. I agreed to go along to see what he was excited about.

We traveled across the river to just north of Hannibal to the old aluminum rolling mill site that closed after many years in operation. The site is now the property of the AGI Corporation. The wildlife center is located in one of the buildings that was once used as an office complex. As I entered the building, I was quickly surprised to see the lobby area filled with a variety of different preserved wild animal mounts. It was not Cabela’s, but it was certainly well done and very well staged. This impressive display in the lobby sparked my interest in what other things are housed in the center.

We were met by Mike Willis, founder and executive director the wildlife education center. He welcomed us as he began to show the many aspects of this remarkable faculty. Each room in the building has a different wildlife theme and purpose. But, there was little doubt that the primary purpose was to educate people on the wonders of the outdoors.

Willis was obliviously very proud of how far this operation had come since the first time he met with the owners and permission was given to create an education center. It was also very obvious that not only had Mike done a great deal of work, he also had to have many volunteers to help to create this center.

Mike explained that it has been his passion to help educate young people on the outdoors. For many years, he operated from his home. This center now gave him the opportunity to move his material into a site more accessible to all.

The center’s real asset is the sportsmen who help the operation in its mission to educate. Trapping, fly tying, lure making, a wildlife education video room, and a computer room are just a few of the different programs offered. In total nearly 40 people donate their time to help make this faculty work.

Roy Thomas is one of the volunteers who teaches young people about fishing through a program called Passport. The program is sponsored through the Ohio DNR. He gives instructions on the skill of how to rig a fishing pole, cast, handle fish, and study for understanding better the fish’s habitat. Roy is only one of the certified instructors at the center.

A pond located near Possum Creek was donated to the Ohio DNR by a coal company and will be stocked in the future with a variety of fish. The Passport fishing program will be taught at the pond site when it is complete.

The center also offers the opportunity for kids to borrow a fishing pole to try their luck at catching the big one or just enjoy the efforts in the outdoors. This service is free as long as the equipment is returned so that others may use it.

I was particularly interested in the room used to tie flies and make lures. It was set up so that several people could work at the same time or that a class could be held.

Each table was equipped with a jig to hold the hooks to be tied, along with an assortment of feather, hair, and a variety of materials used in the construction of a fishing fly. The skill of tying flies is an art worth learning and the center is set up to help you learn.

Willis also pointed out that behind the center is a wetland habitat. This close wetland will enable the center to educate people in the importance of habitat for local wildlife along with migratory birds.

Wooden duck boxes have been placed around the area to attract colorful ducks for visitors to enjoy. The ladies who work at the center are going to construct a Blue Bird trail around the wetlands to create another way for visitors to observe wildlife.

The center operates primarily through the help of local financial donations. Timberline is also in the process of applying for grant funding through the Ohio DNR.

And, it is important to note that the operation is only possible thanks to the generous offer by the AGI corporations to use the facility. The use of the building is something that is hard to put a value on. It shows the company’s commitment to the community and a stewardship for the improvement in the wildlife environment.

I would encourage anyone who has an interest in the outdoors to take time and visit the Broken Timber Outdoors Education Center if you have an opportunity.

The staff there would welcome a visit by individuals or a class wishing to learn more about the outdoors.

I will be looking to see the center grow as I look Thru the Lens.