Nature center rebirth

By Ashley Landis
Staff Reporter

April 29, 2008 11:34 am

— The big “Closed” sign on the front door of the San Marcos Nature Center should be coming down soon. The facility on the southbound IH 35 frontage road has been closed since the former director left in January.
Melanie Howard, with the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, said the department has found a replacement and the Nature Center should be open before the end of the school year.
“I think by the middle of May,” Howard said.
In the mean time, the gardens have been kept up by part-time worker Jerry Neuse and interns Hana Sumbera and Marine Hurst. They’ve also cared for the snakes, lizards, tarantulas and cockroaches that call the center home.
“We are still going to hold summer camps, but that’s the only thing on the schedule so far,” Howard said.
The Nature Center serves as an outdoor learning center and offers gardening workshops, nature walks, wildlife seminars, youth activities and other nature-related activities. It is also the trailhead for the San Marcos River Birding Trail. The wildscape, located behind the center, is made up of two ponds and several theme gardens made up of native plants.
A five-day camp is scheduled for the week of July 14 and Friday camps are scheduled throughout June and July.

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