Our mission, with the addition of our BRAND NEW Nature Center, themed “An Appalachian Backyard Experience”, will be to open peoples’ eyes to the fascinating fauna and flora we have in Appalachia, and inspire them to conserve what we have for generations to come, realizing the impact they have on living things around them every day. This facility is a unique “living classroom” experience where visitors are able to learn about the wildlife of Appalachia while actually being surrounded by live animals native to the area.
We believe that environmental education should first be about getting people to care about the local wildlife and their habitats through personal encounters, and then informing them of how they are impacting those things with their actions every day. A great change occurs in the life of someone when they realize that they can make a difference for something that they care about. This is what the Appalachian Backyard Experience will be all about: connecting people with the wildlife that shares their own awesome Appalachian backyard, with the greater purpose of cultivating within their minds a passion for their protection.
We have designed this facility to be a unique “living classroom” experience where visitors are able to learn about the wildlife of Appalachia while actually being surrounded by live animals native to the area. We believe that conservation education shouldfirst be about getting people to care about the local wildlife and their habitats through personal encounters, and then informing them of how they are impacting those things with their actions every day.
According to Wildlife Director, Rebekah Perry Franks, "The Nature Center theme is "An Appalachian Backyard Experience". When you walk into the building, you feel a sense of home...but not just your home, it is also home for the amazing wildlife of Appalachia. We can't wait to share these cool critters with the public and get people excited about what lives just outside their own doors.
