Koch Habitat Hall

Koch Habitat Hall entrance
Entrance to the Koch Habitat Hall
- Photo by Jim Mason

The Koch Habitat Hall
is the centerpiece of the Great Plains Nature Center. The 3,500 square feet of displays within it were completed during the summer of 2000 and our GRAND OPENING was Labor Day Weekend, September 1 - 3, 2000. A generous grant from the Fred C. and Mary R. Koch Foundation allowed us to finish this part of the nature center. (This foundation was established in 1954 by a gift from Fred Koch, who founded what later became Koch Industries.) The Roybal Corporation was the general contractor for the exhibit hall.

In order, the exhibits are:

	The Prairie as it was originally.
	The Climate of the Great Plains and the effects of European settlement.
	Hands-on area for interactive learning.
	Streams and Wetlands.
	Lakes, featuring our 2,200 gallon aquarium.
	Rivers.
	Riparian Habitat.
	Woodlands.

For a peek at our exhibits, go to the Preview section!

For a 360° view of the interactive area visit 360Wichita.com!

The beautiful murals in the Koch Habitat Hall are the handiwork of John Lencicki and Kent Pendleton.

At the far end of the Koch Habitat Hall, visitors can enter the Wildlife Observatory which looks out onto the wetlands of Chisholm Creek Park. The area immediately outside the windows is landscaped with a recirculating stream, bird feeders and plants attractive to butterflies and birds. Binoculars, spotting scopes and field guides are available for visitors. Please inquire at the front desk in the lobby to use them.

Questions or comments? Send Email to Jim Mason Spidey
Or write us at:
Great Plains Nature Center
6232 E. 29th Street North
Wichita, KS 67220-2200 Call: 316-683-5499 Fax: 316-688-9555