The E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center is an environmental education facility serving 4th and 7th grade students, teachers and professional audiences during the school year. The Center is nestled in the Longleaf Pine ecosystem, which is considered the 6th most biodiverse area in the continental U.S. and less than 2% of it remains intact today. As such, it is the perfect place to educate students on the importance of biodiversity and to encourage conservation, preservation and restoration.
Walton County conservationist and resident M.C. Davis, on his 53,000 acre conservation preserve (Nokuse), developed the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center in 2009. The Center is named after and dedicated to world renowned scientist Dr. Edward O. Wilson, who has made his life-long mission to educate the public about the importance of conserving the world’s biodiversity. Dr. Wilson developed the term “biophilia” which literally means “the love of all living things”.
Students who visit the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center learn about the natural environment through interpretive exhibits as well as an extensive trail system through natural areas on Nokuse Plantation. The Center offers a two or four day program, with curriculum that coincides with Florida’s education standards. While promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathmatics (STEM) subjects, students are provided opportunities for inquiry, investigation and innovation by gaining a better understanding and knowledge of their surroundings.
The Walton County School District considers our facility to be an extension of their classroom as we are their science education project-based learning facility, the place where schooling becomes applicable. Each year, the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center educates 5,200 students in a 5 county area and averages more than 100 students every school day. In addition, we are open to the general public on select days, providing a variety of environmental presentations.