About The Kreher Preserve & Nature Center
The Kreher Preserve & Nature Center is a nature center established as an outreach program of the Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences designed to reach out to people of all ages with a strong focus on families and children.
It is a 120-acre tract, comprising seven natural habitats, including special points of interest such as the Longleaf Pine Demonstration Forest, Wildflower Trail, Boulder Ridge, Butterfly and Vegetable Gardens, Hidden Falls, and the old Homestead. A conveniently located nature playground invites children to explore a play space offering a rich, naturalistic experience complete with mounds, ditches, logs, tunnels, fallen trees, boulders, and some interpretive structures including a beaver lodge, tree house, and eagles nest.
The Kreher Preserve & Nature Center offers improved facilities and visitor amenities within the property, including the Frank Allen Turner Amphitheater, a wheel-chair accessible 150-seat multi-level meeting area and fire pit, and a covered educational pavilion. The amphitheater is often used for educational programs, special events, and other activities. The pavilion is located near the amphitheater and offers a shady place to rest, bird watch and, often during the weekends, view live exhibits of local wildlife such as turtles, frogs and native snakes. Handicap restrooms are available both at the pavilion and amphitheater. Drinking fountains are located at the playground and amphitheater.
The Kreher Preserve & Nature Center has much to offer for all ages, including ongoing environmental education programs and workshops.
Hands-On Learning and Discovery
The Forest Ecology Preserve is truly a living laboratory; offering children who visit to participate in programs which allows abundant opportunity to discover nature with hands-on learning.
Part of Alabama Birding Trails
The Alabama Birding Trails has announced that Auburn University’s Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve, informally known as the Kreher Preserve and Nature Center, will be designated as an Alabama Birding Trail location as part of the regional Piedmont Valley Birding Trail.
The 120-acre preserve, located just north of Auburn, features five miles of well-marked trails which traverse seven natural bird habitats including pine, oak/hickory, bottomland hardwood and mixed pine/hardwood. As part of the Saugahatchee Creek Watershed, visitors will also find a stream, small waterfall, pond and wetland areas.
Approximately 80 different bird species can be found on the property throughout the year, including the Belted Kingfisher, Mississippi Kite and Indigo Bunting. The preserve habitat hosts migratory birds in the spring such as warblers, vireos, tanagers and orioles. Fall and wintering birds such as nuthatches, kinglets and woodpeckers are frequently observed.
Visitors to the Kreher Preserve are also able to observe various species of raptors including hawks, owls and vultures. Nesting Bald Eagles are present on nearby properties and are frequently observed flying into and over the preserve.
“The Kreher Preserve and Nature Center is enjoyed by the university community as well thousands of locals and visitors every year,” said Janaki Alavalapati, dean of the Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences. “We hope that by adding it to the Alabama Birding Trail even more families will be exposed to the opportunity to enjoy this unique discovery center with its miles of beautiful trails, natural habitats and educational programs.”
Hours of Operation
Sunrise to Sunset, Seven Days a Week