Koch Habitat Hall
The 3,500 square feet of displays within were completed in the summer of 2000, with our grand opening on Labor Day weekend, September 1. A generous grant from the Fred C. and Mary R. Koch Foundation allowed us to finish this part of the nature center. The Roybal Corporation was the general contractor for the exhibit hall.
Features include...
- Prairies, Wetlands & Rivers, Woodlands exhibits
- The climate of the Great Plains and the effects of European settlement
- Hands-on area for interactive learning
- 2,200-gallon aquarium, featuring local fishes
- Bob Gress Wildlife Observatory
- Rotating live animal exhibits
The beautiful murals adorning the exhibits are the handiwork of John Lencicki and Kent Pendleton.
Bob Gress Wildlife Observatory
At the far end of the Koch Habitat Hall, visitors can enter the Bob Gress Wildlife Observatory, which overlooks the wetlands of Chisholm Creek Park.
Attractive feeders, donated and stocked by our friends at the Backyard Nature Center, bring all manner of songbirds, woodpeckers, turkeys, and even the odd deer or skunk in for easy viewing.
During summer months, peek in on our demonstration honeybee hive. Watch the workers fill the space with wax and honey, and follow their travels out the tunnel into the park.
Coleman Auditorium
The Coleman Auditorium seats nearly 200 people and is suitable for programs, meetings, and seminars relating to wildlife and the outdoors, as well as special presentations for the public.
Completion of the Coleman Auditorium was made possible by a generous donation from The Coleman Company.