Where to Play
STORY BY ADRIAN LEE BUSH PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE & AUDRA SPEARS
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he Alabama Wildlife Federation is the oldest and largest nonprofit conservation organization in Alabama. Sportsmen established the AWF in 1935 to promote the conservation and wise use of state wildlife and natural resources and ensure a high quality of life for future generations of Alabamians. The organization’s mission is to promote the conservation of Alabama’s wildlife and related natural resources as a basis for present and future generations’ social and economic prosperity, stewardship of wildlife, forests, fish, soils, water and air. The mission statement can be seen in action at AWF headquarters located at Lanark in Millbrook. Lanark contains five distinct destinations: its staff offices; historic Lanark; Lanark Pavilion; Alabama Nature Center; and the NaturePlex. The 350-acre property is used for training programs, nature hikes and numerous educational opportunities and events geared primarily toward children. The NaturePlex serves as AWF’s 23,000-square-foot 38
educational facility and welcome center. It is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and includes a 120-seat auditorium; classroom with lab; community room for meetings; and a gift shop, along with offices for staff and Discovery Hall. Discovery Hall is a walk-through educational tour of Alabama’s natural history and its four physiographic regions. Spotlighted are the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta, the state’s national forests, many of Alabama’s rivers and waterways, longleaf pine forests, prairies and much more. In addition, there are live animals indigenous to Alabama on exhibit and a walkin apiary where visitors learn about the importance of bees and fellow pollinators. For those who love angling, the facility schedules days for fishing. Families have the chance to catch catfish and bream. The ponds are catch-and-release only. If outdoor summer camps are of interest to your children, look no further than Expedition Lanark. The weeklong camps are held seasonally during weekday daytime hours and are 2021-22 FYI
