Alabama Wildlife Federation announces expansion of education activities

MILLBROOK - The Alabama Nature Center is opening its gates three different ways this spring and summer in their campaign to have families “Get Outdoors.”

At Friday’s news briefing, Alabama Wildlife Federation Executive Director Tim Gothard announced that they will be expanding their general public weekends starting April 12 from being open once a month to having themed weekend events, a season admission pass will be available along with theme-club memberships and theme-oriented summer day camp sessions in June and July.

“If you don’t catch kids at critical developmental stages there is no chance to bonding them to the outdoors,” said Dr. Doug Phillips, host of the television series, “Discovering Alabama.” “They are bonding to the mall, figuratively speaking.

“It is so sad kids don’t have a chance to get out there and explore,” Phillips said. “This is more than a touchy, feely learning thing. This is a chance to fill a major void in the children’s lives.”

One of the ANC conservation education specialists said something like a caterpillar has a message.

With a fuzzy caterpillar on his hand, John Hoomes said, “This is a powerful message. Although it doesn’t talk, it speaks for itself. You can’t get the kids to care about it if they have never seen it.”

The ANC is the Alabama Wildlife Federation’s outdoor education facility located just outside Millbrook which offers hands-on, outdoor-based educational programs for students, groups and the general public.

Established in 1935, the AWF is Alabama’s oldest and largest non-profit conservation organization.

A group of second-grade students from nearby St. James Elementary were at ANC Friday morning participating in a Lanark Field Day Program that included Swamp Stomp, Animal Charades, Discovery Hike and live animal presentation.

The upcoming weekends include a charity bow shoot benefiting Children’s Hospital of Alabama April 12 and 13; a floral weekend April 19 and 20; a “Discovery Alabama” with Dr. Doug Phillips April 26 and 27; birds and birding May 3 and 4; snakes of Alabama May 17 and 18; open fishing May 17 and 18; outdoor photography May 31 and June 1; hydrangea fest June 14 and 15; fishing festival June 21 and 22; and outdoor challenge June 28 and 29.

This summer’s half-day outdoor camp, Expedition Lanark, for ages 8 to 11, starts in June and ends the last week in July. The session themes include historic encounters, water explorers, wild detective, fantastic foresters and underlying expeditions. Sessions are 8 a.m. to noon Monday to Friday and include hikes, canoeing, swimming, field games, fishing as well as tree, plant and animal identification. Registration for camp ends May 1.

The season pass includes general admission for individuals, two in same household, family and guest to all weekend events and a 10 percent discount on purchases, summer day camp admission and special event fees.

The club memberships for birding, photography, walking and fishing include access Monday to Friday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekend season pass and benefits.

The ANC has five miles of trails and boardwalks to explore on its 350 acres along with a new 4,000-square-foot outdoor pavilion. For more information, visit www. alabamawildlife.org or call 334-285-4550.