Another reason living in Flagstaff is great!
In the heart of Flagstaff, in Sawmill Park south of Butler Avenue, Willow Bend Environmental Education Center offers environmental awareness and a place to learn the ethics of responsible stewardship for natural and cultural resources.
Many Flagstaff residents may have never even noticed Willow Bend’s building, built in 2002, located in Sawmill Park, just west of the joint Flagstaff Police – Coconino County Sheriff Law Enforcement and Jail complex.
Willow Bend, part of the Coconino County Parks & Recreation Department, has a “discovery room” with hands-on, interactive exhibits, and six distinctive outdoor garden habitats to explore: the Hummingbird Garden, the Lizard Garden, the Forest Garden, the Pond and Wetland Garden, the Wildflower Garden, and the Native Edibles and Heritage Crop Garden.
This comprehensive environmental education center offers programs and field trips for students K-12, reaching more than 16,000 students each year. Family programs and community outreach serve an additional 6,000 residents.
Willow Bend’s Vision: All of our programs strive to build the kind of world we want to live in — socially, environmentally, and economically — a world we want our children and grandchildren to inherit.
The Environmental Education Center is open to the public, Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. It is suggested to call ahead: (928) 779-1745. Look for notice of special weekend programs.
A self-guided Nature Quest trail is always available. What better way is there to discover the area than by a casual hike around the beautiful grounds while playing a fun game? The Quest will take you in and around Willow Bend, the grounds, and Sawmill Park. You will have a chance to see and learn about examples of sustainable living, native plants and animals, and the history of the area.
More:
- Willow Bend Website
- Living in Flagstaff