The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
LOVE the quilt references - The wildlife refuge area as described in the visitor center:
Pieces of a Whole. The Refuge is one of nature's patchwork
quilts. Rocklands, prairie, oak woodlands, and water form pieces of the quilt,
each endowed with many plants and animals. This varied landscape may change
over time, but all the pieces remain connected.
Many lakes were built by the CCC in the 1930s.
The visitor center blends into the landscape and takes advantage
of the sun with a roof full of solar panels.
The $6.3 million, 22,000 square-foot visitor center uses passive solar energy design strategies, earth-coupled heat pumps, an energy-efficient ventilation system and lighting, and water conservation measures. In addition, the building was sited carefully to be sensitive to the natural prairie setting. The building was dedicated on January 15, 1997. ~picture and info from DOI
