Trinity River Audubon Center is an educational center located within the Great Trinity Forest in Dallas, Texas.
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What is the Trinity River Audubon Center?
- The center is associated with the Trinity River Project, a public works redevelopment project.
- It was designed by architect Antoine Predock.
- Construction began in 2002 and was completed in 2008.
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What sustainable features does the Trinity River Audubon Center have?
- The center is built on the site of an old landfill area and incorporates environmentally friendly features.
- It has a green planted roof, energy-efficient systems, recycled materials, and a rainwater collection system.
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Where is the center located?
- The center’s 120 acres are within the vast 6,000 acres of the Great Trinity Forest.
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What attractions can visitors enjoy at the Trinity River Audubon Center?
- The center itself is an attraction due to its architectural design and environmentally sustainable features.
- Visitors can explore a boardwalk for wildlife viewing and a canopy walkway above the treetops.
- The site includes five miles of nature trails, a nature store, and a butterfly garden.
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What facilities does the Trinity River Audubon Center offer?
- The center can be hired for private events such as weddings and corporate gatherings.
- The 21,000-square-foot space is wheelchair-accessible and has 140 parking spaces.
- Inside the Visitor Center, visitors will find a Ranger station, gift shop, restrooms, and multiple exhibits on history and nature.
- The Great Hall on the top level features infinity windows and textured wood grain ceilings.
- The Deck level offers panoramic views of the trails and nature.
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What can visitors see at the Trinity River Exhibit Hall?
- The Exhibit Hall contains modern and spacious exhibits about local wildlife and ecosystems.
- Displays include interpretive exhibits on Texas' fauna and flora.
- A large water table demonstrates erosion and the importance of wetlands.
- A video bird board allows visitors to press buttons and hear different bird calls.
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What trails are available at the center?
- Visitors can explore trails such as the Overlook Trail and Forest Trail, passing through wetlands, flora, and forest areas.
- Self-guided or Ranger-led hikes are available.
- Bird species spotted in the area include the painted bunting, American kestrel, pileated woodpecker, Harris’s sparrow, northern harrier, little blue heron, and scissor-tailed flycatcher.
- The site also has prairie trails showing an intersection of environments in Northern Texas.
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What outdoor activities are available?
- Outside the center, visitors can see a fish exhibit featuring local fish in a large water enclosure.
- Other activities include canoeing, birdwatching, and hiking.
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What can visitors find at the Nature Store?
- The Nature Store sells artisan and local products, including bird guides, snacks, drinks, art, and framed photographs.
- Members receive a discount on purchases.
- Nearby, there is an indoor café and an outdoor picnic area.
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What educational programs does the center offer?
- The center hosts a year-round environmental education program.
- The Eco-Investigations program allows school groups to explore the park’s three unique ecosystems: river, prairie, and forest.
- The Schoolyard Investigation program provides curriculum-based lessons designed by the center.
- Schools that implement the curriculum can become a Schoolyard Investigations Campus.
- The Trinity River Audubon Center Homeschool Mondays program is available for homeschool groups.
- The center offers nature treks for students in 6th to 12th grade, taking them to areas of natural beauty in Texas for a week of learning and environmental engagement.
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Where is the Trinity River Audubon Center located?
- Trinity River Audubon Center
- 6500 I Wy, Dallas, TX 75217
- Phone: 214-398-8722
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