NATURE CENTER BUILT ON A SPIRIT OF COOPERATION

On Wednesday, a long-awaited day will arrive: The Missouri Department of Conservation Regional Service Center in the north Cape Girardeau County Park will be dedicated. We encourage the public to take part in this ceremony to welcome this newest asset to our county.

The dedication will begin at 10 a.m.

The facility represents nearly a decade of planning and hard work to secure the contract by county and state leaders. It symbolizes a partnership venture by the county and state, much like the Missouri Veterans Home, which graces the south county park.

The $1.3 million, 11,000-square-foot facility houses a nature center, offices, an auditorium, and storage space. It also serves as the regional headquarters for 13 counties served by the Department of Conservation. Fifteen employees will work from the center from the department's fisheries, protection, forestry, and wildlife divisions.

The nature center component promises to attract visitors from near and far. A similar facility which opened in Springfield in 1990 projected to draw 50,000 visitors in its first year. The final count was much closer to 150,000.

The local nature center will feature various exhibits, and make conservation books and materials available to the public. A number of conservation programs may also be scheduled at the center throughout the year.

The center is attractive, complementing the park setting. The state also plans construction of some nature trails adjacent to the center, which should enhance the county park. It also provide an added measure of security to county facilities in the park.

The county is providing the five acres of land on a 99-year lease. If the state would decide not to renew the contract, the buildings would revert to the county.

Many people merit singular praise in making this nature center a reality. Sen. John Dennis and then State Representative Marvin Proffer handled the legislative process, and Richard Reed of East Prairie, lead the campaign when he served on the Missouri Conservation Commission. County Commissioners have also served an integral role, including Gene Huckstep, Leonard Sander, E.C. Younghouse and former commissioner J. Ronald Fischer.

Deserving special mention is Sen. Kit Bond, who saved the project from sinking in a sea of red tape. A federal grant 25 years ago threatened to derail the project last year, but Bond secured a waiver from not-too-willing bureaucrats.

A real spirit of cooperation has propelled this regional center to fruition. The result is a nature center and conservation headquarters of which we can all be proud.