Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center, Nature center and educational facility in Buford, United States
The Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center is a nature facility spanning 233 wooded acres near the Mall of Georgia with educational exhibits and walking trails. The grounds feature interactive displays about water conservation, natural ecosystems, and community spaces available for events.
The center opened on June 26, 2006, created through a partnership between the county board of commissioners, the board of education, and the University of Georgia. This founding represented a major step in bringing nature education and environmental stewardship to the region.
The grounds contain the Chesser-Williams House dating to the 1850s, an old residence featuring painted interior and exterior walls created by an itinerant artist. This historic structure reveals how early residents of the area lived and decorated their homes.
The facility offers about five miles of trails throughout the grounds with varying difficulty levels to suit different visitors. Information signs along the paths help with orientation, and the grounds are accessible to people of all ages and abilities.
The building features one of the largest vegetated roofs in the southeastern United States, covered with plants that grow throughout the year. As the county's first structure to achieve LEED certification, it demonstrates how modern construction can prioritize environmental performance.
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