Located at the end of Lipscomb Road in Harvest, the future site of the North Alabama Zoological Society’s (NALZS) expansive zoo, aquarium, and research facility is already heaven on earth. The sounds of birdsong, rustling leaves, and trickling water blend with the lively chatter of children attending summer camp to create a sense of peace and wonder.

Construction hasn’t yet begun on the zoo, but its educational programs are well underway, and thanks to a generous donation of funds and equipment from Collins Aerospace, those programs are reaching even further.

The final session of the NALZS Summer Nature Camp last week ended on a high note as Program Management Director Tom von Eschenbach of Collins Aerospace presented the zoo with a $17,000 check for its educational programming so that it can pursue more camp sessions and buy more equipment.

One such piece of equipment is an LCD digital microscope. Education Director Christie Woodruff explained that one of the advantages to this microscope is that because it doesn’t have traditional eyepieces, autistic kids and others with sensory issues can use it comfortably. In addition, it provides an additional layer of protection from Covid transmission, as multiple people can use it without direct contact.

“In our corporate social responsibility efforts, we look at different organizations that we feel can impact youth, inspire them through education and specifically in the science and technology world,” Von Eschenbach said. “Although Collins is an avionics company, I thought this one fit very well to inspire the youth…being actually immersed in the environment–there’s no better learning environment than that.”

“Certainly today, appreciation for the environment and the impact that humans have on the environment–what better way to educate the youth and show them what that is and appreciate their impact.”

“One of the neatest things about this camp in particular, and that goes back to what Tom said, is that it’s immersive,” Christie Woodruff added, citing an example from three weeks ago when a group of 8-11 year-old campers discovered a froglet at one of the creeks that was fully formed but still had its tail.

“I caught him, brought him up, and the whole camp stopped. And we let the kids learn the whole life cycle because as a 40-something adult, I don’t know that I’ve ever seen that. And so it was super fun to teach that to the kids and that was the first thing they told their parents.”

The money is going to good use–Christie Woodruff noted that the summer camps provide scholarships for underserved students and work closely with a number of local organizations, including North Alabama Foster Closet.

“We provided a scholarship…it was not just the cost of camp, which it did cover, but there’s a stipend that goes along with it. We take the kids shopping–we get them good shoes, we get them several pairs of pants, we get them several shirts. Because it’s not just not having the money to come to camp, but not having the resources to support that.”

In addition to clothing, also families received gas stipends and breakfast, lunch, and snacks each day.

Woodruff said that the nonprofit also participates in volunteer outreach: this fall, NALZS will have an interactive booth at Huntsville STEAMfest in which it will interact with approximately 10,000 visitors, “breaching that STEAM-STEM chasm for kids.” It also sponsors a high school-level junior zoological society dedicated to tackling “conservation conundrums.”

Program Management Director Tom von Eschenbach of Collins Aerospace with Twickenham, the zoo’s African Spurred Tortoise

She added that she and Twickenham, the zoo’s African Spurred Tortoise mascot, have visited seven local libraries this year for ‘NALZS Reads,’ where she reads stories and does craft projects with kids. According to Woodruff, this program has reached 400 kids so far in Limestone, Madison, and Jackson Counties.

NALZS’s research wing works with eight university partners. Once its funding goals are reached, the 200 acre, $3.1 million research campus will feature an operational biological field research station focused on the impacts of human development on wildlife habitats, the restoration of endangered species and threatened ecosystems, and sustainable farming and aquaculture. In addition, it will feature dormitories so that visiting researchers can stay on site.

The research facility will also be accessible to the future zoo’s visitors. “We do want the public to come and see the research. We want to have the capability where you can walk up and see glass and see research happening on the other side and at different times have the researchers come out and talk to the public,” said NALZS Executive Director Ethan Woodruff.

“Research isn’t something that just happens and you see on the news. It’s something that you can actually go see and interact with.”

Contrary to a recent report, the land purchase is still in process–although temporarily on hold, the owners are working closely with NALZS leadership to finalize the purchase. Ethan Woodruff expressed great appreciation for land owner Brian Gill and his family, who are letting the organization use the land for free: “He and his wife are very passionate about our mission. He just loves sharing nature with the kids.”

Ultimately, the construction of the zoo and research facility will depend on public donations. Phase I of the project will cost approximately $30 million to construct and is anticipated to bring in 200,000 visitors a year. It is anticipated to bring $118 million in economic impact over its first six years. The completed zoo and aquarium, which will consist of 279 acres with an onsite hotel resort, is expected to cost $220 million to construct and will attract roughly 600,000 visitors a year. It will employ 200 permanent and 400 seasonal staff.