May 2017   |   55  

“T

o walk in nature is to witness 
a thousand miles.” - Mary 
Davis. There are some things 
that just can’t be taught 

in a classroom. Exploring the great outdoors 
can expand the mind and nurture the soul 
in ways that a textbook is unable to do. The 
E.O.Wilson Biophilia Center is a place where 
children are educated through interactive, 
hands on sustainability and nature-based 
programming for schools and other groups. 
“This is such an arduous task – trying to 
save biodiversity. We can only do it through 
our children, and our children can only do 
it if they are armed with the knowledge and 
the passion,” stated E.O. Wilson Biophilia 
Center Founder, MC Davis. Walton County, 
Florida, is home to this incredible nonprofit 
environmental education center. The Biophilia 
Center educates, on average, 100 students a 
day in fourth and seventh grades, Monday 
through Friday from five local surrounding 
counties (Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Washington, 
and Holmes). “The local school districts 
consider our facility to be an extension of their 
classroom, as we are their science education/
project-based learning facility, the place where 
schooling becomes applicable,” described 
Lauren Bray, Development and Events 

Coordinator/ Environmental Educator. The 
Biophilia Center opens doors for so many 
children by allowing public school students to 
visit the Center free of charge for either two 
or four day programs that are filled with over 
twenty different environmental science lessons.

Lauren Bray said, “We partner with 

businesses, universities, and other non-profits 
to teach the principles of sustainability and the 
importance of conservation and preservation 
of the natural world around us.” The Center 
is focused on spreading teaching throughout 
the community by opening their doors to 
the public during the summer and providing 
offsite outreach education. Students and others 
who visit the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center 
learn about the natural environment through 
interpretive exhibits, wildlife ambassadors, 
and an extensive trail system through natural 
areas on Nokuse Plantation. Fourth Grade 
Teacher from Patronis Elementary, Anna Hull 
recognizes the Center’s importance saying, 
“Without this Center our students would not 
have had these chances to open their minds 
and spirits to nature in the most up close 
and spectacular ways. Just listening to their 
conversations sparked by these opportunities 
I can tell you that lives are changed. Our 
students are passionate about the world in 

which they live and for which they will, one 
day, be responsible. It has been a priceless time 
for them and one that will have far-reaching 
benefits for many.”

story by

 

Courtney Murray

 | 

photos provided by

 

E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center

E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center

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4/24/17   11:32 AM