\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNASA Transfers \u2018Hundred Acre Wood\u2019 to Patuxent Research Refuge\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![a small crowd holds up a triangular pennant flag with \"250\" on it, with a field and trees in the background](\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/gsfc-20260707-signingevent-2026-10452-24.jpg?w=1536\")
<\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\nFollowing a ceremony on July 7, 2026, officials hold up a U.S. 250th pennant at \u201cArea 400,\u201d a 105-acre parcel previously part of NASA\u2019s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., and now part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service\u2019s Patuxent Research Refuge.<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\nNASA ceremonially transferred ownership of about 105 acres of wooded land at its Goddard Space Flight Center\u2019s Greenbelt, Maryland, campus Tuesday to the adjoining Patuxent Research Refuge, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.<\/p>\n
The property, formerly known as NASA Goddard\u2019s Area 400, is now part of the largest block of unfragmented forest between Washington and Baltimore. The nearly 13,000-acre woodland is the nation\u2019s only refuge specifically established to support wildlife research. The refuge also supports recreational uses, such as walking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, and hunting.<\/p>\n
\n\n\n![\"two](\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/gsfc-20260707-signingevent-2026-10452-00.jpg?w=2048\")
<\/a><\/figure>\nAt a ceremony on July 7, 2026, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Brian Nesvik (left) and Jamie Dunn, center director, NASA\u2019s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md., sign certificates that ceremonially transfer a 105-acre parcel of property known as \u201cArea 400\u201d from NASA Goddard to the Service.<\/div>\nNASA<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\u201cFor over six decades, NASA Goddard has helped shape humanity\u2019s understanding of Earth,\u201d said Jamie Dunn, center director, NASA Goddard. \u201cWe\u2019re glad to present this land to our colleagues in the Fish and Wildlife Service, whose conservation and research helps do the real legwork in preserving our Blue Marble for future generations.\u201d<\/p>\n
NASA Goddard had used Area 400 for propellant research beginning in the 1960s. That work has largely since shifted to NASA facilities in other states or to commercial providers, and the property had long been a candidate for divestment. NASA and the Service began discussing a potential transfer in 2021.<\/p>\n
\n\n\n![\"a](\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/gsfc-20260707-signingevent-2026-10452-13.jpg?w=2048\")
<\/a><\/figure>\nFollowing remarks from attending dignitaries and the signing ceremony, assembled guests participated in a monarch butterfly release and milkweed seed dispersal.<\/div>\nNASA<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nPrior to the transfer, Area 400 was still almost entirely wooded aside from a two-and-a-half-acre clearing with 11 small structures. The interagency transfer was effective on Feb. 23, and NASA recently completed its final closeout activities at the property, deconstructing the buildings, roadway, and utility service.<\/p>\n
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/s1712700522021509210-0004-color-correct.jpg?w=2048\")
<\/a><\/figure>\nThis aerial photograph shows Area 400\u2019s appearance in 1984. The surrounding forest has remained largely unchanged since NASA Goddard occupied the property in the 1960s.<\/div>\nNASA<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\u201cThrough working with partners on the best use of land, as exemplified with this land transfer, we can continue to conserve America\u2019s natural beauty and expand outdoor recreation opportunities for future generations,\u201d said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Brian Nesvik.<\/p>\n
Media contacts:<\/strong><\/p>\nRob Garner<\/a>
News Chief, Office of Communications
NASA\u2019s Goddard Space Flight Center<\/strong><\/p>\nKeith Shannon<\/a>
Regional Communications Lead \u2013 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Region
U.S. Department of the Interior<\/strong><\/p>\nPowered by WPeMatico<\/a><\/small><\/p>\nGet The Details…<\/a>
\nRob Garner <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"NASA ceremonially transferred ownership of about 105 acres of wooded land at its Goddard Space Flight Center\u2019s Greenbelt, Maryland, campus Tuesday to the adjoining Patuxent Research Refuge, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The property, formerly known as NASA Goddard\u2019s Area 400, is now part of the largest block of unfragmented forest between [\u2026] Continue reading
<\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\nNASA ceremonially transferred ownership of about 105 acres of wooded land at its Goddard Space Flight Center\u2019s Greenbelt, Maryland, campus Tuesday to the adjoining Patuxent Research Refuge, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.<\/p>\n
The property, formerly known as NASA Goddard\u2019s Area 400, is now part of the largest block of unfragmented forest between Washington and Baltimore. The nearly 13,000-acre woodland is the nation\u2019s only refuge specifically established to support wildlife research. The refuge also supports recreational uses, such as walking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, and hunting.<\/p>\n
![\"two](\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/gsfc-20260707-signingevent-2026-10452-00.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\u201cFor over six decades, NASA Goddard has helped shape humanity\u2019s understanding of Earth,\u201d said Jamie Dunn, center director, NASA Goddard. \u201cWe\u2019re glad to present this land to our colleagues in the Fish and Wildlife Service, whose conservation and research helps do the real legwork in preserving our Blue Marble for future generations.\u201d<\/p>\n
NASA Goddard had used Area 400 for propellant research beginning in the 1960s. That work has largely since shifted to NASA facilities in other states or to commercial providers, and the property had long been a candidate for divestment. NASA and the Service began discussing a potential transfer in 2021.<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/figure>Prior to the transfer, Area 400 was still almost entirely wooded aside from a two-and-a-half-acre clearing with 11 small structures. The interagency transfer was effective on Feb. 23, and NASA recently completed its final closeout activities at the property, deconstructing the buildings, roadway, and utility service.<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\u201cThrough working with partners on the best use of land, as exemplified with this land transfer, we can continue to conserve America\u2019s natural beauty and expand outdoor recreation opportunities for future generations,\u201d said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Brian Nesvik.<\/p>\n
Media contacts:<\/strong><\/p>\n Rob Garner<\/a> Keith Shannon<\/a> Powered by WPeMatico<\/a><\/small><\/p>\n Get The Details…<\/a> NASA ceremonially transferred ownership of about 105 acres of wooded land at its Goddard Space Flight Center\u2019s Greenbelt, Maryland, campus Tuesday to the adjoining Patuxent Research Refuge, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The property, formerly known as NASA Goddard\u2019s Area 400, is now part of the largest block of unfragmented forest between [\u2026] Continue reading
News Chief, Office of Communications
NASA\u2019s Goddard Space Flight Center<\/strong><\/p>\n
Regional Communications Lead \u2013 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Region
U.S. Department of the Interior<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nRob Garner <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"