Creating wonder at Willow Lake
How a multifaceted nature center piques interest and drives engagement
Bob Neumann
Director of Displays, Exhibits, and Events
Posted on
When it came to the creation of its new nature center, Harrison County Conservation was aiming to accomplish multiple things at once.
The group wanted a space that helped guests understand ecologic principles, appreciate local natural resources, and foster a connection with the world around them. They envisioned a center that was unique, interactive, and educational. And they needed it to connect with visitors of varying ages in a wide range of ways.
The finished space accomplishes all this and more via a multifaceted experience that engages everyone from the casual observer to esteemed nature buffs.
Our team at McCullough was proud to work with Harrison County Conservation each step of the way to make it all happen. So how did we bring it to life? Let’s take a closer look by examining a few standout features and displays ...
This diorama of the Loess Hills introduces guests to the unique ecologic features of the region and brings its natural outdoor qualities to life in an indoor setting. Doing this in a way that looks and feels authentic—and accurately pays homage to the area it represents—requires fine-tuned skills and painstaking attention to detail. Such a display can only be effective when the indoor representation mirrors the outdoor reality.
To make sure we pulled this off, we quite literally got our hands dirty. Soil samples were taken from the area and used as a reference point to ensure that the diorama accurately mirrors actual soil appearance and consistency from Harrison County.
Through an interactive touch screen, users are invited to find out where the water in Willow Lake originates. It’s part of creating multilevel content for visitors who want to take their time at the nature center and soak in as much as possible.
Here the guest is invited to take a deeper dive, learning information that goes beyond the surface level.
A hands-on exhibit feature helps appeal to visitors’ senses in another way. They can feel a replica of a turtle’s shell, creating a vivid connection to the regional wildlife.
Playful copy and engaging imagery entice guests touch each shell and experience the texture difference for themselves.
A prairie root feature doesn’t just tell visitors about the critical role of underground root systems. It brings the idea to life by showing them.
Pulling this off was no walk in the park. The sheer length of the root presented steep challenges. It took extra care, planning, and craftsmanship for the display to be designed, built, and installed correctly. Certainly not an easy task—but well worth it in the end.
By displaying a real prairie root, visitors get a unique glimpse at its size and scope. As a result, they better understand how these complex systems play a pivotal role in supporting the flowers, grasses, and prairie of the region.
A truly effective exhibit finds ways to engage everyone. And that includes the youngest of visitors.
Specifically designed for small children, this exhibit area allows kids to conduct a puppet theater, complete puzzles, and interact with wall-mount sensory panels. By connecting Willow Lake to activities young guests naturally enjoy, this exhibit drives interaction and builds a sense of connection with each kid who pays a visit.
Whether we see it in a lake or use it in our homes, every ounce of water traveled a unique journey to get where it is.
This display aims to illustrate that very point. The hands-on feature shows visitors the path that water takes, illustrating everything from where it comes from the ground to how it ultimately makes its way to where they live. It’s a unique way to drive home a compelling point.
Nothing brings nature home more clearly than putting it within arm’s length.
This aquarium exhibit component provides an up-close glimpse at the aquatic life native to the region. Supportive images and copy give visitors background information on what they’re seeing in front of them.
Creating a diverse and varied nature center—with everything from aquarium features and dioramas to physical displays and touchscreens—requires a savvy understanding of how to blend these various components. Thoughtful design, fabrication, and installation are necessary to bring the disparate elements together into a cohesive final product.
Of course, an effective nature center isn’t just about creating a bunch of separate, individuals features. It’s about the atmosphere that's created—and the impressions that are left—when all of these components come together to form a comprehensive, well-rounded experience that resonates with visitors on a wide variety of levels.
That has proven to be the case at Willow Lake Nature Center, which provides an immersive experience that promotes guest engagement and leaves a lasting impression on visitors.