The Vision
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The Southeast Kansas Nature Center Foundation of Galena was founded with
the purpose of developing and maintaining an environmental resource center for
area schools, educators and the community at large.

Plans for the Future
--------------------
There is a great interest in developing an environmental visitors/nature center at and
around the Scout Cabin at Schermerhorn Park. Renovation of the Scout Cabin to 
create a center of this kind would be a great asset to the area schools as well as the
surrounding communities. Environmental education classes and workshops could take
place at the center as well as displays of native wildlife and plants. The wonderful park
and creek is a perfect setting for biological studies, hiking or simply observing nature.
The park will continue to be used for scouting and other youth activities. New hiking
trails and native grasses and wildflower areas will be developed. The existing trails,
caves and other features of the park will be improved.

A Little Information and History
--------------------------------
In 1922, Edgar Backus Schermerhorn, a wealthy citizen of Galena donated land south
of Galena on Shoal Creek for the purpose of building a city park. During the mid 1930's
and early 1940's the W.P.A. (Works Progressive Administration) built the park's 
well-known stone terracing walls and other structures. Just inside the entrance to the park 
there are picnic and cooking areas as well as a playground. Schermerhorn Park is one of
the greatest places to experience the "Kansas Ozarks". The city maintained park is a 
biological wonderland. The park is alive with examples of native wildlife. Some of the rarest 
animals in the state can be found within the boundaries of the park. The spring that flows
from Schermerhorn Cave, located in the park, is home to the dark-sided salamander, the 
cave salamander and the graybelly salamander, all on the Kansas endangered list. Also, 
birders from all over the state know of the park for its wide variety of birds found there.

Probably the best place to see examples of Mississippian limestone of the Ozark Plateau is 
Schermerhorn Park. Shoal Creek, one of the major tributaries to the Spring River, flows
through the park. This spring-fed, ozarkian stream has been the major force shaping the
basin, producing the physiographic features so common to the Ozark region--rolling hills
and steep river bluffs.  The park sits at the west end of a tall limestone bluff on the north
side of the river.

Location
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The park is located just south of the city of Galena on the east side of Highway 26.

We Want You . . . To Become A Member:
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The S.E. Kansas Nature Center Foundation of Galena is a not-for-profit organization.  
If you become a member your donation will help promote and support this worthwhile
project located at Schermerhorn Park of Galena, KS.

Membership Desired:  (Membership fees may be tax deductible.)

Individual.............$10.00 per year
Family.................$25.00 per year
Lifetime Individual...$100.00
Lifetime Family.......$250.00

Name: ___________________________________
Address: __________________________________
City: ______________ State: ____ Zip: _________
County: ________________ Phone: ___________
Date: ____________________________________
E-mail: __________________________________

Make check payable to:
 => "S.E. Kansas Nature Center Foundation of Galena"
7693 S.E. 77th Terrace
Galena, KS 66739