Sylvan Heights Assistent Director Receives Conservation Award

 “I am honored to receive this award on behalf of Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Center and the many people who give so much to make it what it is,” Mrs. Lubbock said. “Protecting waterfowl is important work that no one can do alone.”

Mrs. Lubbock pointed out that Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Center relies on its dedicated professional staff and volunteers to maintain the center as the world’s leading breeder of endangered waterfowl. Containing more than 2,500 birds from 170 species, Sylvan Heights supports the largest breeding waterfowl collection in the world. Sixty of the 250 white-winged wood ducks known to exist in the world reside at Sylvan Heights, and the Center currently conducts breeding programs for 17 of the 44 waterfowl species listed as “globally threatened” by Birdlife International.

Currently, Sylvan Heights Waterfowl is working with the N.C. Zoo Society to build a world class eco-tourism center adjacent to the Sylvan Heights breeding facility. The new Center will welcome visitors and exhibit aviaries containing birds from the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. The new facility, already under construction, will also house the Center for Advanced Avian Studies to implement projects that preserve endangered waterfowl around the world. The Eco-tourism Center is also expected to draw a large number of visitors and contribute to the economy of Scotland Neck and Halifax County.

The International Wildlife Waterfowl Association was established in 1958 by a group of aviculturists, conservationists and ornithologists, including Dr. Jean DeLacour--after whom Mrs. Lubbock's award was named.  Among its many goals, the Association supports research, conservation and educational programs for endangered waterfowl species.