12-18-2008, 12:10 PM
LITTLE ROCK - In the midst of the famous Peabody ducks, a world class lure collection, and state and local dignitaries, the Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center official opened for business today. A crowd of over 200 people were on hand to officially open the fourth and final Arkansas Game and Fish Commission nature center made possible by the 1/8th-Cent Conservation Sales Tax.
Witt Stephens Jr. of Little Rock has been a long-time advocate for Arkansas wildlife and conservation. He served on the AGFC from 1993-2000 and helped champion the sales tax, which was approved by voters in 1996.
"I think I speak on behalf of many individuals when I say that the opening of this facility is a truly great event for Little Rock, this region and the entire state of Arkansas," Stephens said. "I am certainly proud and very honored to be associated with such a remarkable resource for our state."
The dedication ceremony featured Gov. Mike Beebe, AGFC Director Scott Henderson, Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola, Pulaski County Judge Buddy Villines and AGFC Chairman Freddie Black.
The center, at 602 President Clinton Ave., will focus on the wide variety of outdoor recreation, conservation issues and the state's fish and wildlife resources, according to Henderson.
"The nature center is designed to host school groups and engage children and adults in active learning experiences," Henderson said. "We expect to see approximately 300,000 visitors a year," he said. A group of school children were in attendance to help with the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
There are so many unique and interesting features to our state, Henderson explained. "Our goal is to provide an environment that will educate individuals with casual interest and those individuals who want to explore deeper into its history. Plus, we've really worked hard to make it fun for all ages," he said.
The 16,232-square-foot facility is on 3.4 acres on the bank of the Arkansas River in Little Rock's River Market District. The diversity of Arkansas's natural landscape, habitats and wildlife will be featured through the six natural regions of the state: Ozark Plateau, Ouachita Mountains, Arkansas River Valley, Coastal Plain, Mississippi Delta and Crowley's Ridge.
A 10-minute multimedia presentation filmed in high definition - is one of the center's highlights. It will appear on a large screen that 60 people will be able to view. Each member of the Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame will be featured between showings. The show also focuses on the AGFC and the role it plays in conservation.
When the show's over, visitors will pass through an old trapper's cabin, which appears nestled in the woods.
Visitors will follow water as it passes through a continuous series of living habitat exhibits - from a replicated mountain spring into the river's main channel cypress swamps, delta marshlands and a bottomland hardwood forest. Each segment has been isolated with flow-through barriers that contain each habitat's population of fish.
* Ozark Plateau - Since this area is rural and includes the Ozark National Forest, the region will be represented with a pool with large rocks and river-bottom pebbles at the base of a series of springs and falling water. Visitors will hear the natural sounds of the region, including elk bugling, turkeys gobbling, squirrels barking, whip-poor-wills and wood thrushes.
* Ouachita Mountains - Geologic forces crushed the mid-continent region in Arkansas, forming one of few east-west ranges in North America. Because of this orientation, pine and hardwood forests alternate on the north and south faces of ridges. These trees will be represented with a stream along a rock-lined course.<br />
* Arkansas River - A large aquarium with moving water will display larger fish found in the river. The river itself will be seen just yards from the center. The site has great blue herons, belted kingfishers and waterfowl as regular visitors. White pelicans stop by during fall migration.<br />
* Coastal Plain - Cypress tree bases and knees will recreate a swamp and bayou environment.<br />
* Mississippi Delta - Visitors will first be engaged in this vast bottomland forest region by a large, fallen tree with a snake among its roots. Large fish, turtles, ducks and geese will be featured in this wetland marsh region. Natural sounds of the delta - such as Chuck-will's-widows call and frogs - will be heard.<br />
* Delta Country/Big Woods - Interpretation of the Big Woods conservation story will be incorporated into this exhibit with information about the AGFC's role in preservation and management.<br />
* AGFC Divisions - The AGFC's three major divisions - Law Enforcement, Wildlife Management and Fisheries - will be highlighted in display cases where visitors may learn about the roles of agency personnel through interactive components.
A lounge area will offer visitors a chance to pick up a map, select brochures and sit down with a view of the Arkansas River. Outside is a variety of bird-feeding stations set among shrubbery and a gently flowing seep. An interactive state map will highlight Arkansas's natural resources using a laser projector system. The system is funded in part by a grant from the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission.
"There's something for everyone to enjoy at the nature center," Henderson said. "One of the things we've really strived to do with our exhibits and our curriculum is provide an atmosphere and experience that interests all people who are intrigued by the geology, wildlife and natural history of Arkansas."
"Arkansans told us in 1996 that they wanted more educational opportunities and experiences for wildlife-related and other outdoors topics," Henderson said. "Thanks to the passage of the 1/8th-Cent Conservation Tax, we were able to give Arkansans wonderful facilities like the Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center."
The center will be open 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and Sunday 1-4:30 p.m. Admission will be free. For more information, visit www.centralarkansasnaturecenter.com or call (501) 907-0636.
The other three nature centers are the Gov. Mike Huckabee Delta Rivers Nature Center, which opened in 2001 in Pine Bluff; the Forrest L. Wood Crowley's Ridge Nature Center, which opened in 2004 in Jonesboro, and the Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center, which opened in 2006 near Fort Smith.
Witt Stephens Jr. of Little Rock has been a long-time advocate for Arkansas wildlife and conservation. He served on the AGFC from 1993-2000 and helped champion the sales tax, which was approved by voters in 1996.
"I think I speak on behalf of many individuals when I say that the opening of this facility is a truly great event for Little Rock, this region and the entire state of Arkansas," Stephens said. "I am certainly proud and very honored to be associated with such a remarkable resource for our state."
The dedication ceremony featured Gov. Mike Beebe, AGFC Director Scott Henderson, Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola, Pulaski County Judge Buddy Villines and AGFC Chairman Freddie Black.
The center, at 602 President Clinton Ave., will focus on the wide variety of outdoor recreation, conservation issues and the state's fish and wildlife resources, according to Henderson.
"The nature center is designed to host school groups and engage children and adults in active learning experiences," Henderson said. "We expect to see approximately 300,000 visitors a year," he said. A group of school children were in attendance to help with the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
There are so many unique and interesting features to our state, Henderson explained. "Our goal is to provide an environment that will educate individuals with casual interest and those individuals who want to explore deeper into its history. Plus, we've really worked hard to make it fun for all ages," he said.
The 16,232-square-foot facility is on 3.4 acres on the bank of the Arkansas River in Little Rock's River Market District. The diversity of Arkansas's natural landscape, habitats and wildlife will be featured through the six natural regions of the state: Ozark Plateau, Ouachita Mountains, Arkansas River Valley, Coastal Plain, Mississippi Delta and Crowley's Ridge.
A 10-minute multimedia presentation filmed in high definition - is one of the center's highlights. It will appear on a large screen that 60 people will be able to view. Each member of the Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame will be featured between showings. The show also focuses on the AGFC and the role it plays in conservation.
When the show's over, visitors will pass through an old trapper's cabin, which appears nestled in the woods.
Visitors will follow water as it passes through a continuous series of living habitat exhibits - from a replicated mountain spring into the river's main channel cypress swamps, delta marshlands and a bottomland hardwood forest. Each segment has been isolated with flow-through barriers that contain each habitat's population of fish.
* Ozark Plateau - Since this area is rural and includes the Ozark National Forest, the region will be represented with a pool with large rocks and river-bottom pebbles at the base of a series of springs and falling water. Visitors will hear the natural sounds of the region, including elk bugling, turkeys gobbling, squirrels barking, whip-poor-wills and wood thrushes.
* Ouachita Mountains - Geologic forces crushed the mid-continent region in Arkansas, forming one of few east-west ranges in North America. Because of this orientation, pine and hardwood forests alternate on the north and south faces of ridges. These trees will be represented with a stream along a rock-lined course.<br />
* Arkansas River - A large aquarium with moving water will display larger fish found in the river. The river itself will be seen just yards from the center. The site has great blue herons, belted kingfishers and waterfowl as regular visitors. White pelicans stop by during fall migration.<br />
* Coastal Plain - Cypress tree bases and knees will recreate a swamp and bayou environment.<br />
* Mississippi Delta - Visitors will first be engaged in this vast bottomland forest region by a large, fallen tree with a snake among its roots. Large fish, turtles, ducks and geese will be featured in this wetland marsh region. Natural sounds of the delta - such as Chuck-will's-widows call and frogs - will be heard.<br />
* Delta Country/Big Woods - Interpretation of the Big Woods conservation story will be incorporated into this exhibit with information about the AGFC's role in preservation and management.<br />
* AGFC Divisions - The AGFC's three major divisions - Law Enforcement, Wildlife Management and Fisheries - will be highlighted in display cases where visitors may learn about the roles of agency personnel through interactive components.
A lounge area will offer visitors a chance to pick up a map, select brochures and sit down with a view of the Arkansas River. Outside is a variety of bird-feeding stations set among shrubbery and a gently flowing seep. An interactive state map will highlight Arkansas's natural resources using a laser projector system. The system is funded in part by a grant from the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission.
"There's something for everyone to enjoy at the nature center," Henderson said. "One of the things we've really strived to do with our exhibits and our curriculum is provide an atmosphere and experience that interests all people who are intrigued by the geology, wildlife and natural history of Arkansas."
"Arkansans told us in 1996 that they wanted more educational opportunities and experiences for wildlife-related and other outdoors topics," Henderson said. "Thanks to the passage of the 1/8th-Cent Conservation Tax, we were able to give Arkansans wonderful facilities like the Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center."
The center will be open 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and Sunday 1-4:30 p.m. Admission will be free. For more information, visit www.centralarkansasnaturecenter.com or call (501) 907-0636.
The other three nature centers are the Gov. Mike Huckabee Delta Rivers Nature Center, which opened in 2001 in Pine Bluff; the Forrest L. Wood Crowley's Ridge Nature Center, which opened in 2004 in Jonesboro, and the Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center, which opened in 2006 near Fort Smith.