Special to the
Opelika Observer
The Kreher Preserve & Nature Center remains open to the public, a time we can use to reconnect with the natural world. The preserve is open dawn to dusk, and no bike riding, dogs or smoking is allowed on the premises.
Please respect your fellow visitors by practicing social distancing (at least six feet), use hand sanitizer, wash your hands well and often and do not touch your face. Gatherings of more than a few individuals will not be permitted. The Nature Playground is currently closed.
All KPNC programming and events have been delayed or cancelled. Individual participants have been notified and will be updated if/when there are any changes. Watch their http://wp.auburn.edu/preserve/ and follow their Facebook page and online calendar for updates.
Woodland Wonders
In a time before social distancing and masks, there was a small class of preschool students who met in the woods of the Kreher Preserve & Nature Center. These students braved adventures, discovering what the natural world would share with them that day. It might be a caterpillar inching its way across a fence post or newly fallen leaves across the trail, or if they were lucky, there might have been a rain which left puddles to jump in all across the land. There was always something new to find and new to learn in their outdoor classroom.
The Woodland Wonders nature preschool at the preserve brings these childhood adventures to life. They offer classes either Monday, Wednesday and Friday or Tuesday and Thursday from 8 to 11:30 a.m. to students from 3 to 5 years of age. Class sizes are limited to 12 students so that their teachers have the opportunity to get to know their students and watch them grow and develop along with their peers. The students in the preschool help direct the learning in the class as their discoveries shape the daily conversations and lessons. Mornings are spent immersed in unlimited play and learning opportunities. Together, the students plant, dig, climb, run, jump, laugh, ask, gather, draw, create, cultivate, observe and wonder!
We would welcome you to consider this experience for your child. If you are interested, visit http://aub.ie/woodlandwonders/ or send an email to Sarah Crim, lead teacher, at natureeducation@auburn.edu.
Summer Camps
At this time, Auburn University has canceled all events through the end of June, which includes KPNC Summer Ecology Camps. They will be rescheduling our camps for July. If you have already signed up, you will receive an email with details and instructions. If you have not, please watch for new registrations to open in mid-May.