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Native plantings provide visual interest, as well as <br />opportunities for observing and fostering wildlife <br />A tree house classroom is a memorable learning space <br />A signature feature in the nature play area will help <br />draw visitors to the nature play area <br />Goal #5: <br />Improve the drop-in visitor experience <br />Strategies: <br />1. Expand access and/or hours of operation: <br />a. Expand building hours on weekends and evenings <br />b. Allow non -staffed after-hours access by the moving the entry gate <br />further west and adding an easterly parking/turnaround for trail access <br />near the prairie entrance <br />c. Create a trailhead at the Heritage Lab Site to encourage hiking/walking <br />during un -programmed hours <br />2. Create temporary, flexible outdoor learning stations/ demonstration tables <br />(staffed or stand-alone) on select weekends <br />3. Bring nature indoors: <br />a. Provide interactive exhibits in the lobby <br />b. Provide a viewing balcony that extends over the current lunchroom area <br />to bring visitors closer the west windows/views <br />c. Enhance views from other building windows by improving the <br />landscape <br />d. Create an outdoor'tree house'classroom accessible from the building <br />e. Construct an outdoor deck off the classrooms on the south side of the <br />building <br />4. Make the nature play area more visible and functional: <br />a. Add a second entrance to the nature play area that is visible from the <br />main entry sequence <br />b. Add a signature play feature <br />c. Clarify circulation within nature play area <br />d. Control tall exotic grasses within nature play area <br />5. Create a longer walking experience on site by connecting the Nature Center <br />to the Heritage Lab Site, restored prairie, upland trail, and regional trail system <br />6. Improve infrastructure and support facilities with a 'light touch' in keeping <br />with the natural setting: <br />a. Consider the use of sustainable building materials and technologies for <br />all future capital improvements. <br />Goal #6: <br />Better serve current core program audiences and expand new program <br />audiences <br />Strategies: <br />1. Expand adult outreach & programs: <br />a. Expand adult program offerings <br />b. Improve volunteer participation and outreach <br />c. Develop service learning programs <br />d. Develop a young naturalist program to train high school students as <br />volunteer weekend naturalists <br />