Auburn, nestled in the picturesque plains of eastern Alabama, features many attractions for its residents. The Loveliest Village on the Plains is just around the bend from many of these places, including the Arboretum, Chewacla State Park, and—of course—the Kreher Preserve and Nature Center.
A 120-acre track of dense woodland, the Preserve provides educational programming for children, an extensive array of hiking trails for seasoned and novice travelers alike, and numerous nooks and habitats to explore and enjoy. If you’ve yet to traverse through this track of wildland, or you’d just like to know more about it, keep reading to learn more about this staple of the Auburn-Opelika area.
History
Twenty-five years ago, in 1993, Dr. Louise Kreher Turner and Frank Allan Turner, her spouse, donated a forested 120 acres to the Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences. The Kreher’s, wishing to preserve some of the area’s natural surroundings, gave this land to the University as an educational resource where students could learn about the natural world.
Originally, the Kreher Preserve and Nature Center belonged to the Creek Indian tribes; however, the Carter family bought the plot of land and then sold it to the Cooper family. The Cooper’s used it as a homestead. The Kreher’s purchased the Preserve in the 1930s, after the Cooper’s lost their home to a fire.
Features
The track houses a number of habitats, including the Longleaf Pine Demonstration Forest, Hidden Falls, the old Homestead, Wildflower Trail, Boulder Ridge, and the Butterfly and Vegetable Gardens. A nature playground, conveniently located for easy access, also calls the Preserve home. The playground offers a perfect space for children to explore fixtures of nature, such as boulders, logs, tunnels, a beaver lodge, a tree house, and an eagles’ nest. The Preserve boasts 30 hiking trails, spanning over five miles, which cover all different types of terrain.
The Kreher Preserve and Nature Center also carries comforts and amenities expected in modern day, such as a 150-seat, wheelchair accessible meeting area and fire pit as well as a covered educational pavilion. Interpretive kiosks dot the landscape—and point patrons to points of interest and provide educational information.
Events
From hikes to educational excursions, the Preserve hosts numerous events year-round. Interested in taking a trek through the track? On the second Thursday of every month, guided nature walks are offered to give patrons a chance to socialize, rejuvenate, and enjoy the fresh outdoors. These walks occur from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
The Preserve also features a host of holiday-themed outdoor activities—for instance the Halloween Enchanted Forest and the Ho! Ho! Ho! Hike!
Conclusion
A lovely landmark all around, the Preserve has something for nature lovers of all ages. Next time you find yourself in the Preserve’s neck of the woods, take a trip and tour through a track of land that offers breathtaking beauty, exciting outdoor excursions, and numerous nooks to nestle in. These are wilds ready to be wandered through.
New to Auburn or just ready to settle down in the area? Contact Ryan Roberts to find your perfect place in the Auburn, Opelika, or Lake Martin area. He can also help you sell as well. To start, fill out a contact form here. If you’d like to learn more about the local landmarks and signature staples that call this area home, continuing reading our blog here.
