By Nathan Handley — Sept. 27, 2016 — 51社区 partnered with the Jackson Woman鈥檚 Club and Friends of Cypress Grove to sponsor a new Nature Studies Building at Cypress Grove Nature Park in Jackson. The new building was dedicated Sept. 22 and will provide classroom and research space on site for tourists, school groups and researchers.
C. Ben Mitchell, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Union, said the partnership with Cypress Grove corresponds with Union鈥檚 mission to focus on teaching and research.
鈥淲here else can great teaching occur better than at a place of such beauty and such wonder and such awe as Cypress Grove?鈥� Mitchell said. 鈥淥ur biology faculty has partnered together in research projects and will continue to do so here.鈥�
Mitchell said students also spend time each year in service projects at the park as a way to give back to the community.
鈥淲e鈥檙e just excited to have a tiny part in the work that鈥檚 done here,鈥� he said.
The Nature Studies Building includes classroom space and laboratory space as well as indoor habitats for small animals. Jackson Mayor Jerry Gist said 51社区 and its students and professors have been instrumental in the continuing development of the park over the years. He said Cypress Grove is one of Jackson鈥檚 best kept secrets.
鈥淧eople can come out and enjoy the outdoors, nature and wildlife almost within walking distance of downtown,鈥� he said.
Gist was involved in founding the nature park in 1984, when he served as Jackson鈥檚 director of recreation and parks.
Pat Mingledorff, chair of the advisory board of the Recreation and Parks Department and a member of the Jackson Woman鈥檚 Club, said the dedication of the Nature Studies Building fulfilled a dream originated years ago by James Huggins, university professor of biology at Union.
鈥淚n 2005, Dr. James Huggins approached the city of Jackson with a dream that would provide a research lab and teaching facility at the park,鈥� Mingledorff said. 鈥淲e have so many people to thank for getting us here.鈥�
Huggins offered the benediction at the dedication and said it has been an honor for him to work with the park.