The outdoor classrooms at the Kreher Preserve & Nature Center allow students to learn in an environment that consumes the senses. Trade-in your traditional classroom for a chance to listen to birds singing their songs, to breathe clean fresh air, and escape the hot sun in cool crisp shade provided by the hardwood and pine forest canopies. Spacious and versatile, each of our outdoor classrooms is unique and built to suit your individual needs. We provide seating to accommodate your any class-size. Come and treat your students to an experience only nature’s classroom can provide.
Big Oak
The Big Oak Outdoor Classroom is nestled beneath the beautiful sprawling limbs of a majestic water oak. This spacious classroom is a 7 to 10 minute walk from the main parking lot, provides seating for 45 adults, and features a large 3′ x 6′ table. This classroom is the most remote and secluded of our outdoor classrooms and is close to the KPNC’s natural springs.
Green
The Green Outdoor Classroom gets its name from the painted green wood, taken from our old entrance way. Its back-drop is a mixed hardwood/pine forest with lots of space for exploration. This classroom provides plenty of shade, a large chalkboard, one small unique table, and seats approximately 30 adults. The Green Outdoor Classroom is just a five minute walk from the main parking lot and very close to prescribed burn areas and the Fernview bottomland forest.
Longleaf
Perched on a small hilltop, the Longleaf Classroom overlooks a longleaf pine management area and has easy access to the wildlife blind, wildflower meadow, and nature playground. This classroom is a short walk from the main parking lot and offers a bulletin board and seating for approximately 30 adults.
Pondview
Pondview is one of our most spacious and versatile outdoor classrooms. Often used by local scouting troops, it is a large green space with plenty of sunlight surrounding a large fire pit. With a great view of the Turtle Pond and easy access from the North Parking Lot, it features bleacher-style seating for approximately 50 adults. Use of the fire pit requires coordination and approval from KPNC staff.
Flutterby
The Flutterby classroom is a beautiful shaded area located at the old homestead site, next to our butterfly garden. This classroom features a backdrop of open mixed hardwoods and a plethora of ornamental plants. With direct access from the North Parking Lot, it is close to the organic vegetable and sits directly on a quick path down to the Turtle Pond. This classroom is small, offering seating for approximately 15 adults, and has a bulletin board with shelf space.
Amphitheater
The Amphitheater is our largest outdoor classroom with seating for approximately 150 adults. There is plenty of space for demonstrations and very easy access to restrooms, a water fountain, the main pavilion, and the main parking lot. The Amphitheater sits on the Easy Walking Trail and is a short walk from the birding blind, prescribed burn areas, and the longleaf pine management area.
Outdoor classrooms at the Kreher Preserve & Nature Center may be used at no cost to educational institutions (including public schools), non-profit organizations, and homeschooling families. Please call or email the KPNC Manager at kpncmanager@auburn.edu or (334) 707-6512, to schedule your usage so you can be sure that the classroom you want is available. Scheduled users always have priority over unscheduled users.