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Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center: Understanding Yesterday and Today
There’s something different about the Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center, which you notice as soon as you pull into the parking lot. Instead of the typical asphalt or concrete surface, there are pavers that let rainwater seep into the ground instead of running off into storm drains. Helpful illustrated placards in the parking lot explain the process. Without a doubt, there’s a lot to learn at the GEHC, which opened its doors in the fall of 2006. The facility is a model of environmental responsibility, from the recycled granite used in the exterior to the native vegetation growing on the roof. Inside, visitors gain insights into the county’s past, starting with the original residents of the area, the Native Americans. Each stage of history is presented in a life-sized diorama. Much of the information ties back into the environmental theme, explaining how the use of the area’s natural resources has changed over time. The real draws here, though, are the interactive exhibits. A row of touch-screen kiosks let visitors take the Water Wise Challenge to see how much water they use in a month (ours was 57 gallons – a “good job,” according to the results screen). There is a focus on native marine life. Even better than looking at fish is actually touching these creatures and, thanks to the Touching Pools, visitors can put a finger on horseshoe crabs, a ray and a flounder. The big hit of our visit were the multiple stations that educate and entertain via the main states, uses and the power of water. We were able to see and touch the different forms of water – liquid, gas and solid – before moving on to play with a big sand and water table, which teaches about erosion. A winding “river” lets kids float a boat that must overcome different challenges, both natural and manmade, like droughts and dams. Older kids will probably enjoy the wastewater area, which includes samples you can see – and smell. Outdoors, there are 10 miles of trails for hiking, biking and jogging, where you can explore, spot native plants and enjoy granite outcroppings. The GEHC exhibits really seem targeted at kids in elementary school who can read. While there are lots of hands-on activities, there is a lot of information about the environment and how to be “green” that will be lost on younger kids. |
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