The Mary Ashby Cheek Education Center at the Central Kentucky Wildlife Refuge will be open for visitors from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sept.18.
The education center houses information about plants and animals that may be seen at the refuge, including examples of bird feathers and nests, rocks, an insect display, educational materials for teachers, posters and maps.
Jane and J.P. Brantley, education directors, will be on hand to answer questions about the refuge. Teachers, home schoolers and other group leaders considering field trips to the refuge are encouraged to come and preview the educational materials and the trails prior to scheduling their visits. Travel grants of up to $150 are available for school groups that come to the refuge.
Mary Ashby Cheek was a distinguished educator and longtime resident of Danville in whose dining room the idea for creating the Central Kentucky Wildlife Refuge was first discussed in 1964. The education center was made possible by a generous gift from Annette Cheek and dedicated in 1999.
