The Auburn University Kreher Preserve and Nature Center (KPNC) will host a public grand opening celebration and open house for its new Environmental Education Building on Dec. 7 and 8 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Situated near the North College Street entrance to the nature center, the structure is designed to be a dynamic focal point of the KPNC, which welcomes tens of thousands of visitors and program participants annually.
“We are extremely excited about the addition of the environmental education building to the Kreher Preserve and Nature Center,” said Michael Buckman, manager of the KPNC. “For the first time, Kreher will have an interpretive hub for our visitors to explore and learn about the natural world. It will be a meeting place, a learning space and a gateway to the rest of the Kreher forest.”
Featuring state-of-the-art technological resources and diverse educational and interpretive displays along the Emily Kling Discovery Corridor, the Environmental Education Building is an engaging space for all to experience the wonder of nature.
The building will also feature two classrooms, one which will house the KPNC’s Woodland Wonders Nature Preschool and another, aptly named the City of Auburn Community Classroom, which will serve as a venue for a diverse array of educational offerings such as classes, workshops and interactive programs. It will also be offered to the public as a unique rental opportunity for special events and other gatherings.
The building infrastructure and landscaping are also designed to showcase sustainable features, such as the Johnny Lawrence Memorial Rain Garden, which illustrates eco-friendly practices to conserve resources.
At the building’s entrance, visitors will enjoy the woodland creature Donor Wall, recognizing the many current and future donors who have made the building construction possible.
“Designed with an emphasis on connectivity to the natural surroundings with modern teaching methods and practices at the forefront, the new center will feature expansive portals that blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces,” said Buckman.
The building is constructed of cross-laminated timber (CLT), a mass timber product often created using southern yellow pine, as a showcase of its use as a sustainable alternative to traditional building materials. CLT’s lightweight and prefabricated attributes enable precision manufacturing, reduced on-site waste and an accelerated construction process, among many other environmental benefits.
The grand opening celebration will feature children’s activities, guided tours, animal encounters and a question-and-answer discussion with the Principal Architect Tom Chung, of Boston’s Leers Weinzapfel Associates. Refreshments will also be provided and a food truck will be onsite for attendees to purchase lunch.
To learn more about the Environmental Education Building and its array of giving opportunities, visit kpnc.auburn.edu.
(Written by Jamie Anderson)
