Episode Details

Jeff Smith and Carson Odegard sit down with Robert Eddings, CWA’s Vice President of Conservation Programs, to break down the story behind the new Pacific Flyway Center—where the idea came from, what the site will actually be, and why it could become one of the most important public-facing projects CWA has ever taken on. Robert walks through the long runway from concept to construction, how the center ties together conservation, education, and hunting, and why putting that message right on the edge of Suisun Marsh matters for hunters and non-hunters alike.

Episode highlights

• The origin story — Robert explains how the Pacific Flyway Center grew out of a long-term vision backed by Ken Hoffman, with the current version really taking shape around 2015, permits signed in 2018, and construction starting in 2024.
• What the site is meant to do — more than just another property, the center is designed to help tell the full story of wetlands, hunters, conservation, and wildlife to a much broader audience.
• Public access plans — when it first opens, the walk-in portion is expected to be free to the public, with possible fees only coming later if larger museum or interactive components are added down the road.
• How hunting fits in — the duck club side will stay separate, but the property could support a small number of blinds through CWA’s hunt program, along with youth and education-based hunts that connect new hunters to the bigger conservation story.
• Why this matters beyond hunters — Robert talks about the rare chance to reach birders, travelers, and everyday Californians who may never hear the hunting-and-conservation connection anywhere else.
• Opening timeline and updates — the current target for opening is mid-March 2027, with updates expected through CWA’s website, eNews, and social media as the project moves forward.

If you want a look at where CWA is headed—not just in habitat work, but in how it tells the story of waterfowling and conservation—this episode lays it out.