Gwinnett County Environmental and Heritage Center
"Soak up the Science"
Located near the Mall of Georgia. Click here to download a printable map.
Information
Visit www.gwinnettehc.com for the most up-to-date information on events and programs offered at the Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center.
Overview
Come "soak up the science" at the new Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center! Discover a unique place for science and nature, environmental education, passive recreation, and cultural exploration!
The 59,000 square-foot science and cultural center nestled on 233 pristine acres near the Mall of Georgia, offers a unique mix of recreational, educational, and rental opportunities. Visitors enjoy an exciting experience in the misty, multi-sensory Blue Planet Theater, live critters in "Rivers to Reefs", and wet fun in Discover H2O! In addition, passive recreation opportunities such as bike riding and hiking on the scenic nature trails and greenway corridors abound.
As Gwinnett County's first "green" building, the GEHC is a working exhibit of resource-efficient design, construction and operations. The Center exceeds the (LEED) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver Level standards of the U.S. Green Building Council! As a result of the sustainable design strategy, stormwater runoff will be minimized, indoor air quality will be improved, energy use will be reduced by 35%, and water use will be reduced by 75%. Features such as the largest sloped vegetative roof in the Southeast, pervious pavement and the use of recycled materials promote environmentally friendly strategies and make the Center unique!
Families will find GEHC a great place to spend quality time together with a full calendar of programs, workshops, and events. Teachers and students will find it a great place for hands-on Field Study programs. Citizens and professionals will find it a great place for meetings as well as learning about eco-friendly construction technologies.
Mission
The mission of the Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center is to serve as a recreational catalyst for inspiring and engaging community involvement in educating Gwinnett’s students to solve tomorrow’s environmental challenges; promoting sustainable development practices and utilizing new technologies to preserve the future health of our water resources; enhancing the appreciation of Gwinnett’s natural resources; and presenting the interaction and interrelationships of lifestyles and cultures, past, present, and future, as they relate to the living world around us.
Vision
--To develop an exemplary, high-tech cultural center known for hands-on science exhibits and quality educational programming that inspires visitors to become better stewards of our environment.
--To transform the concepts of science and history into interactive, learn-by-doing experiences that will encourage a visitor’s natural curiosity and sense of wonder about themselves and the world around them.
Partnership
The Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center is a collaboration of the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners, Gwinnett County Public School System, the University of Georgia, and the Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center Foundation.
The center's exhibits were designed with input from Gwinnett County Public School to ensure that each exhibit's content supports the requirements of the AKS (Academic Knowledge & Skills Curriculum) of the Gwinnett County K-12 School System and GPS (Georgia Performance Standards).
Contact Us Now At: Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center
2020 Clean Water Drive
Buford, GA 30519
770.904.3500
Fax: 770.932.3041
www.gwinnettEHC.com
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