Students help dedicate new educational exhibits at Killens Pond State Park Nature Center

FELTON (Feb 24) – A group of about 25 fifth graders from Lake Forest Central Elementary School joined DNREC Secretary Collin O’Mara and elected officials to dedicate new educational exhibits and displays at the Nature Center at Killens Pond State Park. The reptile and amphibian themed exhibits highlight the diversity of species found in Delaware. The event is part of DNREC’s Children in Nature initiative, designed to encourage young people and their families to get outside. The initiative, launched in Dec. 2010, is a multi-agency taskforce charged with developing a coordinated effort to find the best ways to get Delaware’s children outside.

“Helping children connect with nature is an important part of the state’s efforts to reduce childhood obesity, improve school performance and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards,” said Secretary O’Mara. “By exposing children to the amazing local wildlife through exciting graphics, interactive learning stations and live specimens, we will help build an understanding of our impact upon species and habitats, and encourage conservation of these natural resources.”  

The exhibits include five live animal tanks, an interactive touch display, a downstairs video room and several panel displays. The displays feature the bog turtle, an endangered species, the Eastern tiger salamander, the barking treefrog – the largest native treefrog in the U.S. - and the five-lined skink, a lizard that can break off its tail as a defense against predators.  An interactive field guide is designed to help visitors identify many of the reptiles and amphibians found in Delaware.

The Killens Pond Nature Center was built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards.  Some of the environmentally-friendly features of the new building are rainwater recovery and reuse, geothermal heating and cooling and on-site wastewater treatment. The open design provides exceptional day-lighting and views. The lower level corridor, with a wall of glass on one side and a wall of stone and masonry on the other, provides substantial natural heat retention. 

The public can view the new exhibits at the Nature Center, located on Killens Pond Road in Felton on weekdays from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, and on weekends from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information contact the park at 302-284-4299 or visit www.destateparks.com.  

Vol. 41, No. 57