Official Kids Mag

By Karen Rice Official Kids Mag John Muir said: "Between every two pines there is a doorway to a new world." A perfect place to find that doorway is in Fort Smith, at the Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center. It's all about exploring, learning and interacting with nature. Inside, there are lots of exhibits with all sorts of fun hands-on things to do. Outside, there's 170 acres of land and a lake for hiking, fishing, canoeing and discovery. You'll see lots of wildlife, even from inside the center at the feeders and the stream right outside. What's inside Ozark Plateaus, Ouachita Mountains and arkansas river Valley On your way to the main exhibit area, you'll walk between rock outcroppings. They represent the Ozark Plateaus and the Ouachita Mountains. Interactive displays show how the mountains and valley were formed. arkansas river aquarium A huge aquarium between the "mountains" contains fish and turtles from the Arkansas River. The interactive fishing "pond" lets you try your hand at catching fish replicas and learn about the many kinds of of fish swimming in our Arkansas waters. the Oak Forest An enormous, life-sized oak tree spreads its branches to the ceiling of the main exhibit area, with models of forest animals all around it. Look! Up in the tree is a black bear! Below are northern bobwhite quail, mourning doves, squirrels and an interactive eastern wild turkey that can be "called" by visitors. Interactive displays let you press buttons and move levers to learn about different animals in the oak forest. the life of birds Watch a video showing how birds fly, listen to their songs and learn how birds use their feet and beaks to eat. You can even climb into a giant nest to feel what it's like to be a baby bird! Watchable Wildlife corner Large wrap-around windows give you a close-up view of live native birds and wildlife outside. An artificial stream and feeders attract a wide variety of animals for you to watch, up close and personal. The Discovery Room next door is all about hands-on fun. This is where you can really get a feel for wild things. Remember to pick up a souvenir, a guide or some gear at the gift shop! What's outside Wells lake From the deck of the exhibit center, you'll see Wells Lake. It's a 12-acre man-made lake that was built in the 1940s. This type of lake is called an impoundment. Wells Lake is a hub of exploration and fun! Everyone is welcome to fish in Wells Lake. Give it a try! There are piers to fish from and you can borrow fishing poles and tackle boxes at the center. All you'll need is the bait. You can even check out a canoe or a kayak for exciting water adventures. trails There are walking trails, boardwalks and bridges all around the lake, perfect for exploring nature. You'll find more than four miles of trails. Borrow some binoculars and a wildlife watching backpack at the nature center, then hit the trail and keep your eyes and ears open for signs of wildlife. You might see ducks, beavers, geese, great blue herons, raccoons, beavers or even deer. More than 140 species of birds have been spotted on these trails. The Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center is truly a doorway to a whole world of nature, and it's waiting to be explored…by you! a doorway to exploration Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center 8300 Wells lake rd Fort smith, ar 72916 Open tuesday-saturday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 479-452-3993 www.rivervalleynaturecenter.com 26 • OctOber 2021 • www.OfficialkidsMag.com

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