The Alabama Nature Center is a joint project of the Alabama Wildlife Federation and the Isabel and Wiley Hill Family. Thanks to the efforts of the AWF Board of Directors, key supporters, and the generosity of Isabel Hill and her family, AWF opened its new headquarters at Lanark, a 425 acre property and former home of Isabel and Wiley Hill, on March 10, 2003. The Lanark property is located in Millbrook, Alabama just 10 miles north of Montgomery and only a couple of miles from I-65.
The underlying vision shared by AWF and the Hill Family was to establish a world-class conservation education center that allows AWF the opportunity to teach children and adults about wise-use and responsible stewardship of our wildlife and related natural resources; while at the same time, preserving and sharing the legacy created by Isabel and Wiley Hill and their efforts over the last 50 years. This has been accomplished through maintaining the beautiful landscape at Lanark and developing a world-class outdoor facility known as the Alabama Nature Center.
Phase I of the Alabama Nature Center opened in April of 2007 with five miles of boardwalks and trails and Lanark Pavilion. Phase II, the NaturePlex Phase, of the Alabama Nature Center opened in October of 2015.
The NaturePlex is a 23,000 square foot heated and cooled structural facility that serves as the Welcome and Education Center of the Alabama Nature Center. This structure was the final structural element of the AWF Board’s vision for a world-class outdoor education center in Alabama.
The NaturePlex is open 6 days/week from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The facility includes:
$5.00 per person daily admission to do it all! Bring the family and walk through the hands-on Discovery Hall…watch a scheduled movie…buy a souvenir in The Bear Den Gift Shop…and enjoy hiking five miles of scenic trails, while learning about the fascinating natural history of Alabama.
