2009 MARY K OXLEY NATURE CENTER
This ornament honors the Mary K Oxley Nature Center.
Boasting 804 acres with 9 miles of trails that wander through hardwood forests, prairies and wetlands along Lake Sherry and over boardwalks in Blackbird Marsh and numerous streams.
The frontpiece shows a family enjoying the natural sights and sounds on the prairie trail in front of the pond and the Interpretive building.
The backpiece shows the beautiful Oxley-Yetter Interpretive building, named after the parents of John T. and Mary K. Oxley.
Opening in 1981 and completely renovated in 2009, the building has new interpretive teaching stations, a floor to ceiling interactive mural, projected sounds of woodpeckers and other creatures, a wildlife viewing area with waterfalls, a library, bookstore and classrooms.