Janet Huckabee Nature Center grand opening held
Source: www.agfc.com
Published: Sep. 21, 2006
FORT SMITH, AR – Under a picture perfect blue sky and cool breezes, the third of Arkansas's four natures was officially opened on Aug. 31. The dedication of the Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center began a weekend of special events at the $5 million facility.
Arkansas’ first lady, and the center's namesake, officially dedicated the facility in front of about 200 enthusiastic people. Mrs. Huckabee was also there when ground was broken in January 2005. Janet Huckabee helped campaign for the Conservation Sales Tax along with Gov. Mike Huckabee.
The couple toured the Arkansas River and stopped along the way to endorse the ballot issue in October 1996. The Huckabees are members of the Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame. This is the third of four Arkansas Game and Fish Commission nature centers built with funds from the 1/8-Cent Conservation Sales Tax passed in 1996.
The Mike Huckabee Delta Rivers Nature Center opened in Pine Bluff in 2001 and the Forrest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center opened in Jonesboro in 2004. The Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center is scheduled to open in 2007. Each nature center focuses on a geophysical area of the state.
This one is built on 170 acres of typical Arkansas River Valley land. It will include representations of the Ouachita and Ozark mountains, and a 1,700-gallon aquarium. The center also includes a life-size post oak with automated and mounted animals in and around it. Kiosks and panels will help visitors understand mammals, birds and fish.
One corner lined with windows will allow visitors to watch for wildlife attracted to feeders and a circulating stream. Kids will be able to fish with a magnetic lure that will tell them what they’ve caught. There’s even a bluebird box that’s big enough for kids to get in and explore.
The nature center also features a gift shop and a wildlife workshop ingeniously secluded in the basement of the building. Wells Lake, popular with anglers and picnickers, is the hub of a trails system that will allow students and teachers to explore various habitats along the lakeshore and surrounding territory.
Trails and all pathways were created with the disabled in mind. Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center hours are 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Call 479-452-3993 or visit www.rivervalleynaturecenter.com for more information.
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