BRADY TWP — A 7-year-old summed up the thoughts of more than 45 adults who attended the grand opening Saturday of new exhibits at the Jennings Environmental Education Center on Route 528.

“They'll protect nature,” said Connor Duncan of Grove City, who attended the event with his twin brother, Rhys, and mother, April.

Cindy Adams Dunn, state secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, corroborated Connor's assessment.

Dunn said the exhibits — which include a 10-by-14-foot diorama of the Jennings Nature Preserve prairie outside of the building, an interactive exhibit that interprets the geology story of the region and a recreation of botanist Otto Jennings' desk, at which visitors can view letters he wrote and tools he used — will encourage local residents to visit and appreciate the nature reserve and create a spark in young people to participate in conservation.

“I can guarantee you that over the years, young and old alike are going to be inspired by these exhibits,” Dunn told DCNR staff, volunteers and content experts who helped with the project.

Read the full story in Monday's Butler Eagle.