Burbank, WA- The Fish and Wildlife Service invites you to check out its new digs.

With the McNary National Wildlife refuge as a backdrop, the service today held a grand opening for its new headquarters and Environmental Education Center.

The Mcnary refuge is part of the Mid Columbia River National Wildlife Refuge Complex covering 277,000 acres in Eastern Washington.

Project leader for the refuges Greg Hughes says the Education Center's location is perfect because it's a short drive for school field trips.

"And not just get them here, but get them on the refuge where they can go from the classroom right into the mud, right into the water and look at those bugs, get their feet dirty, get  their knees dirty, make that connection with nature." 

The Fish and Wildlife Service will host a public open house from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturday. Volunteers will lead tours of the refuge, and there will be several activities for kids