Millbrook, AL — The Alabama Wildlife Federation (AWF) and Hyundai Motor Manufacturing of Alabama (HMMA) are proud to announce the development of a new Interactive Gopher Tortoise Habitat Display inside the Discovery Hall at the Alabama Nature Center. HMMA is making this new interactive experience possible through a generous $50,000 investment.
This exciting new exhibit, currently under design, will serve as a signature, hands-on educational experience within the NaturePlex, the 23,000-square-foot Welcome and Education Facility at the Alabama Nature Center. Designed to immerse visitors in Alabama’s longleaf pine ecosystem, the display will feature a large-scale, crawl-through gopher tortoise burrow system that allows children and families to explore both above-ground and underground habitats in one connected experience.
“We are incredibly grateful to HMMA for their continued partnership and commitment to conservation education,” said Tim L. Gothard, AWF Executive Director. “Their long-standing support of our Alabama Nature Center facility has allowed us to bring meaningful, engaging learning experiences to thousands of visitors each year. This new investment is another great testament to HMMA’s commitment to community involvement and support.”
The exhibit will highlight the gopher tortoise as a keystone species and demonstrate how its burrows provide shelter for a wide variety of wildlife, including snakes, amphibians, and other native species. Through interactive design and age-appropriate educational elements, visitors will gain a deeper understanding of the importance of habitat conservation and responsible stewardship of Alabama’s natural resources. Located in Millbrook, Alabama, more than half a million people have visited Lanark and the Alabama Nature Center since opening in 2007.
The NaturePlex, completed in 2015, serves as the hub for AWF’s educational programming. Discovery Hall, a centerpiece of the NaturePlex, provides a walk-through, hands-on exploration of Alabama’s diverse ecosystems. As part of AWF’s goal to keep exhibits relevant and engaging, the addition of the Interactive Gopher Tortoise Habitat Display represents the next step in enhancing visitor experience and educational impact.
Construction of the new exhibit is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
AWF extends its sincere thanks to Hyundai Motor Manufacturing of Alabama for nearly two decades of support and for investing in the future of conservation education across our state.
“The generous spirit of HMMA’s 4,200 team members inspires our mission to invest in organizations and initiatives that share our commitment to stewardship,” said Scott Posey, HMMA Public Relations Manager. “Alabama has an extraordinary range of rivers, forests, and wildlife found nowhere else in the country, and the Alabama Wildlife Federation and its members have long been among the strongest stewards of these irreplaceable resources— helping ensure they can be valued and enjoyed by generations to come.”
The Alabama Wildlife Federation, established by sportsmen in 1935, is the state’s oldest and largest citizens’ conservation organization. The mission of the Alabama Wildlife Federation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit group supported by membership dues and donations, is to promote conservation and wise use of Alabama’s wildlife and related natural resources as a basis for economic and social prosperity. To learn more about Alabama Wildlife Federation, including membership details, programs and projects, contact AWF at 1-800-822-WILD or visit www.alabamawildlife.org.
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