Eco-Center Photos   Exhibit Photos   Grand Opening Photo Essay

October, 2006

As of Saturday, October 7, the day of the Grand Opening, the Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park and Eco-Center became a world destination for everyone interested in waterfowl and birds in general.

Over 1,000 birds now make the Park their home. There are seven major waterfowl exhibits that are designed to afford visitors an uncompromised view while providing the birds all of the protections and natural elements they need to be at ease and contented. Major exhibits include the continental collections of Africa, Australia, Eurasia, North America and South America. The Endangered Species and Multi-national aviaries present incredible views of some of the rarest and most beautiful waterfowl found around the world. Additional exhibits introduce visitors to many non-waterfowl birds, such as the worlds’ largest owl, the Eurasian Eagle-owl, as well as the Toco Toucan, Laughing Kookaburra, Black Crowned Crane, Lady Ross’ Turaco and Emu, plus a variety of parrots, pheasants and endangered curassows.

The Park grounds and exhibits are immaculately landscaped. The Memorial Garden provides visitors with a beautiful stroll around a special Sylvan Heights Donor Board to honor our most dedicated supporters. Wherever possible, we’ve utilized plants native to the themed continent. We have protected the rare mouse tail plant that grows naturally near a small creek on the grounds (which we named Mouse Tail Creek) and have preserved many significant trees and flowers for our guest’s enjoyment. More botanical projects are planned over the next few years. We also have a picnic grounds and the Lowe’s Playground for families and groups to enjoy.

Start making plans to get here--an avian paradise awaits! Think we're exaggerating? Take a look at the photo links above.

Morning light strikes the Eco-Center as viewed from the Multi-National Waterfowl Aviary

Capital Campaign Updates

June 17, 2006

Donation from CVPWS to Waterfowl Park and Eco-Center

Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park and Eco-Center received a $2,000 donation from the Carolina/Virginia Pheasant & Waterfowl Society.

Founded in 1987, the CVPWS is a non-profit organization for the preservation and propagation of aviculture. The members award the Wayne P. Hawkins Memorial Scholarship to selected high school seniors or college students interested in the study of aviculture.

June 1, 2006

Sylvan Heights Receives Donation from Lowe’s Foundation

Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park and Eco-Center received a $25,000 check Thursday from Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation.

In a partnership with the N.C. Zoological Society, the Center was presented the donation to help the Scotland Neck waterfowl education and research facility build a children's playground.

“It's a great thing they're doing for the community,” said Lowe's Manager Bucky Keener.

Sylvan Heights Director Mike Lubbock graciously accepted the award and said the playground is part of a plan to attract school groups and families to the Waterfowl Park and Eco-center.

May 19, 2006

IWWA Sponsors White-Winged Wood Duck Aviary

The International Wild Waterfowl Association (IWWA) donated $10,000 to the Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park & Eco-Center for sponsorship of the new White-winged Wood Duck Aviary. The aviary will provide visitors an opportunity to view a flock of these ducks -- one of the world’s most endangered birds -- and learn about the breeding program at Sylvan Heights designed to insure their survival.

As a result of the donation, plus the fact that the IWWA financed the original White-winged Wood Duck aviaries at the Sylvan Heights Breeding Center, the new exhibit will have signage to acknowledge the organizations’ long-time support.  

May 12, 2006

Philanthropist Issues Capital Campaign Challenge

Michael Steinhardt, humanitarian and member of the Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park and Eco-Center Board of Directors, has offered to match —dollar for dollar— every contribution made from now until completion of the Park and Eco-Center project.

The new Waterfowl Park and Eco-Center is a partnership with the North Carolina Zoological Society and is destined to be one of the premier avian conservation, research, education, and recreation facilities in the world. The Sylvan Heights Capital Campaign has so far raised $882,000 of the $1.5 million goal.

March 22, 2006

                                       NC Zoo Society Receives Two Grants for Sylvan Heights Waterfowl

The Golden Leaf Foundation awarded a $50,000 grant to the NC Zoo Society’s Sylvan Heights Capital Campaign. The grant will provide the Eco-Center with a marketing specialist and promotional materials.

The Cannon Foundation awarded NC Zoo Society’s Sylvan Heights Capital Campaign with a $50,000 grant for the development of Sylvan Heights as an eco-tourism destination. The funds will be used to complete Phase One construction of the Eco-Center project.

March 8, 2006

Rural Center Grant Awarded for Eco-Center Construction

The North Carolina Economic Development Center awarded an Economic Innovation Grant to the Town Of Scotland Neck, NC, with $66,000 earmarked to develop Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park and Eco-Center into a national eco-tourism attraction. The proceeds will be used to complete construction of Sylvan Heights’ visitors/education building.

The Town of Scotland Neck received the grant as part of the Economic Stimulus Demonstration Project provided by House Bill 1352 of the North Carolina General Assembly. Sylvan Heights has become the cornerstone of the town’s agri/eco-tourism development strategy.

"These are public funds, but they are being used for economic stimulus within local communities", said Mayor Robert Partin.“The economic benefit of Sylvan Heights will be great for the whole state, not just Scotland Neck. We hope to get additional funding for Sylvan Heights and are pleased to work cooperatively with the NC Zoo Society,” said Mayor Partin.

December 20, 2005

Southern Bank Contributes $25,000 to N.C. Zoo Society Capital Campaign

to Fund World Class Eco-tourism Facility in Scotland Neck, NC

ASHEBORO, N.C.— The North Carolina Zoological Society announces a $25,000 gift this week from the Southern Bank Foundation in support of the Zoo Society’s capital campaign to raise $1.5 million to develop a world-class eco-tourism facility at the Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Center in Scotland Neck, NC.
       

The facility, which is already well under construction, will offer visitors the opportunity to explore the world of waterfowl and waterfowl conservation with aviaries organized on a continental theme, a state-of-the-art avian theater and exhibits of avian artwork. A centerpiece of the project will be the Center for Advanced Avian Studies with a library, conference room, office and laboratory to be used in conservation research.
        

“This is an outstanding project that will have a positive economic impact on Scotland Neck and Halifax County and we are very pleased to be a part of making it a reality,” said Lewis Thompson, vice president, city executive of Southern Bank, Scotland Neck.  “Additionally, it is a reflection of Southern Bank’s ongoing and long-standing commitment to eastern North Carolina.”

Located in eastern North Carolina and run by Mike and Ali Lubbock, Sylvan Heights Waterfowl maintains the largest captive waterfowl population in North America. Mike Lubbock has achieved 17 World and 12 North American First Breeding Awards and is a recipient of the Jean Delacour Avicultural Award and the Master Breeders Award for Aviculture from the American Pheasant and Waterfowl Society. Mike Lubbock and his wife Ali were inducted into the International Wild Waterfowl Association’s Hall of Fame.

 “We are grateful for the strong support of Southern Bank and the Southern Bank Foundation,” said Mike Lubbock. “This gift demonstrates Southern Bank’s commitment to the people of Eastern North Carolina and to helping preserve the natural resources that we will all share for generations to come.”

Founded in 1901, Southern Bank and Trust is the third oldest state-chartered commercial bank in North Carolina.  Headquartered in Mount Olive with approximately $1.1 billion in total assets, the bank serves 43 communities with 53 locations in eastern North Carolina.  The Southern Bank Foundation was established in 1997 as a private foundation to provide financial support for various worthy causes and organizations in communities throughout eastern North Carolina.

The North Carolina Zoological Society is the private, non-profit support organization for the North Carolina Zoo. The zoo is an agency of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, William G. Ross Jr., Secretary; Michael F. Easley, Governor.

Loretta Tweed
Marketing Assistant
North Carolina Zoo