Center instills love of nature in CFWE student
April 03, 2024
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Michael Buckman, manager of the Kreher Preserve and Nature Center (KPNC), says the mission of the center most basically is “to instill a sense of stewardship or passion of nature” in people.
Max Nemeroff is the embodiment of that mission.
Currently a College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment (CFWE) student, Nemeroff has been a patron of the KPNC since he can remember, now working as its caretaker.
KPNC is an outreach program of CFWE, the area’s only nature center enabling people to connect with nature and providing environmental educational resources and programs to visitors and students alike.
KPNC influences student’s journey
Nemeroff participated in KPNC’s summer camps every summer until he was 13 years old, the cutoff age. He still wanted to be involved with the KPNC, so he started as a counselor-in-training (CIT), volunteered as a summer camp assistant and later served as a counselor.
Nemeroff now works at KPNC as a caretaker; his responsibilities include land management, facilities and equipment maintenance, animal care and environmental education. He appreciates having a job that is outdoors with a flexible schedule.
“Max’s time in various capacities at KPNC, from camper to CIT to counselor, taught him so much about the center and preserve that if anyone needs to know anything about the details of our operation, Max has that knowledge,” said Buckman.
Nemeroff has gained many skills working for KPNC, including working with children and leading young adults, from his work as a counselor and as a volunteer group coordinator.
“I’ve learned leadership skills as I lead volunteer groups every day — it’s a nice way to gain practical experience,” said Nemeroff. “I coordinate college students, usually not CFWE students. Therefore, I get to teach them while leading them, so they normally leave KPNC knowing more about the environment than when they arrived.”
According to Buckman, this demonstrates how Nemeroff is engaging the volunteers to connect them with nature.
“Max has a deep connection to the KPNC. He cares about our facilities, our visitors and our mission,” said Buckman. “In fact, he understands our mission better than most. It just clicked with him.”
KPNC Manager Michael Buckman (left) and CFWE student and KPNC Caretaker Max Nemeroff at the Kreher Preserve and Nature Center.
Love for outdoors guides college path
Nemeroff’s love for being outdoors and around animals born at KPNC influenced his decision to become a CFWE student at Auburn.
“The interest started young, and I decided what I wanted to do with my life,” said Nemeroff, who helps manage the KPNC wildlife populations.
Nemeroff is exploring the academic options in this field. He took Wildlife Conservation History and Law fall semester, which focuses on the history, problems, laws and practices of U.S. wildlife conservation, and he found it interesting.
“I enjoy working with reptiles and amphibians, which is what I have the most experience in, but in the CFWE program, I am branching out to get a feel for what I want to do for a career,” said Nemeroff.
Nemeroff’s connection to KPNC benefitted his transition to Auburn’s campus. Through his participation in KPNC programs, he knew several of his Auburn professors before starting his freshman year.
“It gave me a foot in the door and made the professors more approachable. I learn better like that,” said Nemeroff.
“Even outside of Auburn, I’ve met all types of people through KPNC, like those in the Forestry Service and in biology and herpetology communities.”
KPNC mission + future
Louise Kreher Turner and her husband, Frank Allan Turner, donated 119 acres of forest land to CFWE in 1993 to ensure the acreage would become a nature preserve and educational resource for years to come.
Last year, KPNC leadership celebrated the center’s 30th anniversary, demonstrating the gift of property has fulfilled the Turner’s original intent.
KPNC, fully accessible year-round, comprises seven natural habitats and six miles of trails and serves more than 35,000 visitors per year, with 10,000-12,000 being program participants. It is open seven days a week, from dawn to dusk with free admission.
“We want to get as many community members as possible to know and understand nature in a way that helps them perceive why it is so wonderful and why it is worth keeping and protecting,” said Buckman.
“We want them to fall in love with nature.”
CFWE student and KPNC caretaker Max Nemeroff (left) shows Sidney Crim a captive snake at the Kreher Preserve and Nature Center.
KPNC growth + impact continue
A new environmental education building, which is under construction with an anticipated late July completion, will significantly impact Auburn, CFWE, KPNC and the greater community, Buckman said. It will be the only building like it at the university, plus the first nature center building of its kind in the region.
The center will be free and open to the public, and Buckman anticipates a strong amount of engagement through the center, which offers the potential of a nature-based kindergarten-through-fifth-grade program and afterschool programming.
“This is a fantastic outdoor classroom for Auburn’s faculty,” said Buckman. “There will be experiential learning opportunities, not just with the CFWE, but also with the College of Education, the College of Architecture, Design and Construction, the College of Engineering and the College of Agriculture.”
Buckman also shared that the building will be available as a special event venue for KPNC’s partners and community members.
Connecting people to nature
Nemeroff, Buckman and other KPNC team members work every day to ensure the center continues to promote its mission of connecting people with nature. And the new building will further that goal.
Nemeroff admitted that to visit, volunteer or work at the center takes a certain type of person.
“If you enjoy being outdoors, hot weather and bugs, there is something for you here,” said Nemeroff.
“But seriously, you can come and watch the birds or sit and listen to the streams. There are so many different opportunities for what you can do here.”
Interested in volunteering, working at or supporting the KNPC?
Auburn students interested in volunteering or working at the KPNC can contact the center directly or join IMPACT on AU Involve.
If you are interested in volunteering or working as an environmental educator, contact Sarah Crim at natureeducation@auburn.edu.
If you are interested in grounds maintenance at the nature center, contact Michael Buckman at kpncmanager@auburn.edu.
If you would like to support the KPNC’s programs or the construction of the Environmental Education Building, contact Heather Crozier at vannhea@auburn.edu.
