Mission and Vision

uhlnc logo greenTHE FRIENDS OF THE UPPER HIGHLAND LAKES NATURE CENTER

MISSION STATEMENT:   Our mission is to provide the understanding, appreciation and conservation of the outdoors and our natural resources through educational and recreational outreach to all ages and all people through facilities that provide the necessary environment and the friends to make it happen.

Installing the boxes at the Nature Center. (Courtesy of Phil Wyde)
Installing the boxes at the Nature Center.
(Courtesy of Phil Wyde)

VISION:   We have organized a friends group of over 100 people to help make the nature center possible and the following is the vision of the nature center.

  • To construct, maintain, and man several buildings, each with a natural science theme for hands on education in the natural world around us. The main building will serve as a classroom and meeting room to host exhibits and  presentations when the weather is too rough for outdoor activities.  The satellite buildings will individually follow a natural science theme each , such as insects, reptiles,wildflowers, geology, archaeology, birds, mammals, bats, native American history, invasive species, land management, erosion,  etc!
    Monarch caterpillar on a milkweed blossom. (Photo courtesy of Sue Kersey)
    Monarch caterpillar on a milkweed blossom.
    (Photo courtesy of Sue Kersey)

    We will have several children’s levels of hands on displays and exhibits with the goal of interesting them in the wonders of the outdoors.  Although the main direction is toward children, we will also have adult education lectures and classes.  Many of the members are retired teachers, engineers and scientists that are enthusiastic about sharing their time and knowledge.

  • Trails are in place, have been surveyed and are being marked for interpretive and self-guided walks on the 1300 acres of habitat. Our location in Burnet County is approximately 8 miles from the Burnet courthouse where there is an excellent infrastructure already in place with bathrooms, pavilion, lake, miles of creeks and trails, and a diverse array of hill country flora in the Llano Uplift.
  • Several locations have been located for bird viewing stations for the growing army of bird watchers and catch
    Live oaks at the dock. (Courtesy of Paula Richards)
    Live oaks at the dock.
    (Courtesy of Paula Richards)

    and release fishing is planned for the children along with fishing lessons and equipment being supplied.

There’s little doubt about our population moving away from the fact that we are an important part of the natural world around us. The balance is being upset more every day and anything that we can do to help reverse that trend will make a difference. Our donors and supporters can make a difference with us.

Billy Hutson, President
January, 2012

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