Located in Wildcat Park overlooking the largest remaining area of globally unique chert glades in the world; a place where specially adapted plants and animals thrive in a dry, desert-like habitat of thin soils and towering chert rock bluffs.
The center is adjacent to Shoal Creek, the third largest tributary of the Spring River watershed and an area of critical biological importance. The Spring River watershed hosts a variety of endangered species, thus containing one of the highest levels of aquatic diversity left in the Western Ozarks.
An amazing 1,300 gallon aquarium and Ozark stream is home to fascinating aquatic organisms such as rainbow darters and stonerollers, as well as more locally common species such as goggle-eye, gar and other species. Our chert glade terraria complex showcases live tarantulas, snakes, and other animals found on the glades. There are five outdoor learning stations near the building and along the park trails.
The center houses three classrooms, a reference library, interpretive exhibits, children’s indoor discovery are, nature store, wildlife viewing are and other attractions. With more than three miles of paved and natural trails throughout the park, the center has plenty of way to experience a variety of unique Ozark landscapes.