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

“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, secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, corroborated Connor's assessment of the exhibits.

Dunn, who came from Harrisburg to attend the event, 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 of the region and a re-creation of botanist Otto Jennings' desk, at which visitors can view letters he wrote and tools he used — will not only encourage local residents to visit and appreciate the nature reserve, but will also create a spark in young people to participate in conservation for decades to come.

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

Dunn said of the 121 state parks and 2.2 million acres of state parkland in Pennsylvania, four education centers exist. One is Jennings.

She hopes all visitors, but especially children, will be inspired to take up the cause of conservation, so the state's natural resources can be protected in perpetuity.

“We've got to create the next Otto Jennings,” Dunn said of the dedicated botanist for whom the facility is named. “Conservation is a forever business.”

She praised the Jennings staff and the experts and volunteers who helped convert a 30-by 80-foot classroom containing taxidermy and dated photographs into an interactive exhibit room for all to enjoy.

“It took a lot of hands, eyes and input to make this project as special as it is,” Dunn said.

Will Taylor, the Jennings center manager, called the center a gateway to the natural world for visitors and a place that provides visitors with an immersion in conservation.

He recognized Split Rock Studio, whose artists and experts created the exhibits, as well as the DCNR staff at his office, the regional office and in Harrisburg, for their work getting the exhibit room finished.

Taylor said one exhibit contains a series of videos in which those who love Jennings Nature Reserve tell their stories. He said the cost of having a video produced is $5,000 to $7,000 per minute, but the Jennings videos were made for free by volunteers who had expertise in the field.

“I'm very appreciative to my team and everyone who made it happen,” Taylor said.

Jack Cohen, president of the county Tourism and Convention Bureau, told the audience that he never entered a state park until he was 40 years old because he grew up in the city and lived there for the first part of his adult life.

As a convert to and staunch supporter of Butler County parks and natural areas, Cohen was delighted with the new exhibits and said they will help to continue the vision of those who initiated conservation in Pennsylvania.

“Our forefathers gave us these places and they're a gift,” Cohen said.

He encouraged all in attendance to share with other residents the conservation and educational opportunities at Jennings.

“It's a whole different world,” Cohen said of the facility. “We need to share it with others.”

The Jennings Environmental Education Center will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday until Memorial Day, when the center is open during those hours seven days a week until Labor Day.