Zilker Nature Sites: Austin Nature Center

            There are two aspects of my visit to the Austin Nature Center that I find amazing. 

First, I love how the center coexists with nature.  Like all of the places I visited on my Zilker Park excursion, the minute I passed the “Austin Nature Center” sign, I felt like I was entering a different world.  The picture I took of the sign perfectly depicts the contrast between the industrialized world and the nature preserve that exists within the center’s borders.  This is also evident in the picture of the center, situated amidst a sparkling and clear body of water.  The center is a product of humans but it perfectly coexists with its natural surroundings.  I think it’s important for these last reserves of nature to continue to exist within the city, to allow nature to coexist with the city.

Second, I really enjoyed seeing children interact with the exhibits of the center.  I think my pictures demonstrate that the center was truly created to educate younger generations about nature preservation.  The exhibits allow children to learn about animals, such as snakes, instead of developing a dominating attitude towards these animals.  Similarly, children are able to examine butterflies and birds through the exhibits without allowing their curiosity to damage live specimens.  In this sense, the exhibits truly educate children while also teaching them of the extinction of wildlife through the “dinosaur digging exhibit”.