The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has nine nature centers throughout the Natural State, and one can be found in the Twin Lakes Area. The Fred Berry Crooked Creek Nature Center at Yellville lies in a 2 3/4-mile bend of Crooked Creek above Kelley’s Access, and this month will mark 18 years since its opening and dedication.
Fred Berry Crooked Creek Nature Center facility manager Heather Pittman will be a guest on an upcoming episode of the Talk of the Town on KTLO-FM. The land donated by Berry, a retired school teacher and counselor at Yellville-Summit, was previously a farm, and Pittman says the project came about to keep the area from being mined for gravel.
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The focus of the center is conservation education. Pittman says while adults are always welcome, the main mission is to educate the local youth.
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The center is a designated Arkansas Watchable Wildlife site. Over 100 species of birds and several different Ozark mammals have been recorded. Visitors are encouraged to bring binoculars and cameras. In addition, nearly six miles of hiking trails are available.
The facility is also available as a meeting place for conservation and outdoor education groups. For announcements of public events, follow Fred Berry Crooked Creek Nature Center on Facebook or watch the center’s web calendar. Anyone with questions or special programming needs can contact Ken Forman at 870-218-4387 or Ken.Forman@agfc.ar.gov.
This month, Our Community Cares, sponsored by Farmers and Merchants Bank, Carl Wayne’s Nurseries, Danny Porter of Century 21 LeMac Realty, American Safeguard Insurance, Arvest Bank and KTLO, Classic Hits and The Boot, recognizes the Fred Berry Crooked Creek Nature Center and its multiple education opportunities. Learn more at ktlo.com/ourcommunitycares.
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