The Environmental Discovery Center at Lynches River County Park

About the Program

Category: Parks and Recreation (Best in Category)

Year: 2010

In January 2007, Florence County Parks and Recreation, with the assistance of a committee of volunteer citizens, began construction of the Environmental Discovery Center (EDC) at Lynches River County Park Designed to be an LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified building, the 2,700 square foot facility is an example of conservation in practice. Designed to help foster a love of nature and respect for natural resources, the facility provides live weather data, an interactive aerial map of the park and river system, a nature swap trading area, the Tobacco Barn Theater and a Tree Top Canopy Walk. With a mission to develop and reveal the natural resources of the park for the purpose of advancing education, stewardship and recreation for the residents and visitors of Florence County, the EDC has been visited by 36,350 people from 30 states and six countries outside of the United States since opening in February 2008. The educational value of this initiative should be underestimated either, as more than 7,500 school children have had the opportunity to experience nature through the exhibits, displays and programs at the EDC.