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Project Title: Construct Headquarters Visitor Building (FFS #R8AF)
State: California
Project Description: This project will construct a one-story standard design refuge headquarters and visitor center for the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Complex in Los Banos, Calif. The refuge complex is comprised of the Merced NWR, San Luis NWR, San Joaquin River NWR, and the Grasslands Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The San Luis NWR, Merced NWR, and Grasslands WMA are located in Merced County while the San Joaquin River NWR is in Stanislaus County. The building will be constructed to meet LEED Silver standards and will incorporate solar and other appropriate renewable energy sources as identified during the detailed design phase. The building will be constructed on existing refuge land on the San Luis Unit of the San Luis NWR, and will accommodate up to 30 permanent staff and 20 seasonal staff or volunteers. The refuge currently receives 120,000 visitors per year; but has no on-site facilities for visitors or refuge staff.
Project Benefits: The new refuge headquarters and visitor center will improve and expand environmental education, interpretation and outreach opportunities for the public while improving operating efficiencies and reducing costs for refuge staff. Current administrative offices are located in commercial leased space in a strip mall in the city of Las Banos When completed, the refuge facility will eliminate annual building leasing costs, currently $179,000 per year. The on-refuge location will greatly reduce costs and time associated with travel to and from Los Banos and the refuge (currently 30 minutes each way). The building’s use of LEED green technology will reduce energy use and costs.
Originally posted 07/01/2009
For additional information, please contact:
Kim Forrest, Project Leader
San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex
209-826-3508
Kim_forrest@fws.gov
Photos:
 Tule elk roam at San Luis National Wildlife Refuge |
