This weekend marks the official opening of several new and exciting exhibits at The Nature Center at Steele Creek Park.
The Lakeview Gallery, located on the second floor of the original Nature Center, will be used for seasonally rotating exhibits. Opening this Friday, May 31st, will be a display of Sonie Schermer’s photographs featuring Steele Creek Park’s wonderful natural history. Schermer, a founding and long-time board member of Friends of Steele Creek Nature Center and Park, is an avid and accomplished nature photographer. Her selection for this exhibit demonstrates the beauty and diversity to be found in the Park and can be viewed during normal Nature Center hours throughout the summer.
Also opening this weekend is a display of photographs, taken by Warriors’ Path State Park naturalist Marty Silver, focused on native wildflowers of our region, including several that are threatened species. Silver, who is widely known for his energetic and entertaining interpretive programs, has captured the beauty of some of these specimens in his stunning photos. Accompanying information provides visitors the opportunity to learn a few important facts about the natural history of our region. This exhibit will also be on display through the summer months.
For those who have not visited The Nature Center in the past month or two, the newly installed Beaver Lodge exhibit is another wonderful addition. This life-sized re-creation, similar to those recently built by beavers on Steele Creek Lake, gives kids the opportunity to explore the inside of the structure, while interpretive graphics around the exterior provide fascinating information about North America’s largest rodent. Also built into the exhibit is a live green snake - safely secured in its own cage just above the lodge. The Beaver Lodge exhibit is the latest addition to the permanent displays found throughout The Nature Center, all of which have been made possible through generous local donations to the Friends organization.
The Nature Center is free to the public, other than the $2 per car Park entry fee. Summer hours are 11 am to 6 pm Monday through Saturday and 1 pm to 6 pm on Sundays. For more information contact The Nature Center staff at (423) 989-5616 or Friends of Steele Creek Nature Center and Park at [email protected]
