FROM MARLA RUSKIN, AWF COMMUNICATIONS
Samuel LeMaster, a Life Scout with Troop 4 in Montgomery, recently completed his Eagle Project for the Alabama Nature Center (ANC) in Millbrook. Samuel replaced 30 cane poles for the thousands of elementary school students to use during Lanark Field Days.
In addition to the new cane poles, Samuel also built new fishing pole racks, and monofilament fishing line recycling containers for the Upper Pond and Bullfrog Pond at the ANC. Samuel said he came up with the monofilament recycling idea after spending time outdoors with his family at Jackson Lake Island, and seeing a bird entangled in fishing line. He wanted to provide a place for fishermen to properly dispose of their fishing line to prevent wildlife from coming in contact and being injured, as well as eliminating litter in the outdoors.
Samuel raised all the funds necessary to build the project, and was assisted for two work days by members of his troop. Including planning and labor, the total project took 106 hours. “Our education staff was very excited to have new poles to use during our education programs,” said Hollie Terry, ANC Director of School Programs. With 500 students using the poles a month, we desperately needed some new equipment.”
The Alabama Nature Center, a hands-on outdoor education facility located at Lanark in Millbrook, Alabama, is a joint project of the Alabama Wildlife Federation and benefactors Isabel and Wiley Hill. The Lanark property, State Headquarters for the Alabama Wildlife Federation, contains 350 acres of striking forests, fields, streams, wetlands and ponds that are traversed by five miles of trails and boardwalks including a tree top viewing platform.
In addition to the trails, boardwalks, and pavilion, the Alabama Nature Center includes the NaturePlex, a 23,000 square foot structural facility that serves as the Welcome and Education Center. The grounds at Lanark contain five destinations: AWF Headquarters, Historic Lanark, Lanark Pavilion, ANC and the new NaturePlex. The Alabama Nature Center has a great partnership with the following: Alabama Power Foundation, City of Millbrook, Hyundai, International Paper Company, The Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation, The Daniel Foundation of Alabama, The Hobbs Foundation, US Forest Service, Vulcan Materials Company Foundation and Walmart.
Alabama Wildlife Federation is the state’s oldest and largest citizens’ conservation organization dedicated to the conservation and wise use of Alabama’s wildlife and related natural resources. To learn more visit www.alabamawildlife.org.
