Yesterday a press conference was called with members of the Detroit Zoological Society and Macomb County to make an announcement about The Detroit Zoo expanding its reach to the community. It was soon discovered that The Detroit Zoo would be expanding and opening up a new facility in 2019 named the "Great Lakes Nature Center" which will be located in Macomb County.

The announcement was met with great excitement as Channel 4 Detroit streamed the conference live on Facebook. This new Nature Center will be focusing on water and wildlife in the Great Lakes. There will be many features including rare and endangered species on exhibit. Although no particular site has been announced for this new facility, they are expected to announce a location by this spring.

Animal habitats expected at the GLNC are Michigan native amphibians, reptiles, turtles, small mammals, shorebirds and birds of prey, which many of will be rescued or non-releasable, like sandhill cranes. There will also be a Native Butterfly Garden on site as well.

According to the DZS, there will be many opportunities available at the GLNC such as Birding, Astronomy, and Citizen science as well as providing programs like Education, Conservation, Science and Animal Welfare, Environmental Protection, and the economic importance of North America's freshwater inland seas.

The facility is expected to be a $10 million project and will be more than 20,000 square feet. Construction is expected to begin this year and according to the DZC it is...

Estimated to welcome, engage and educate 150,000 to 200,000 visitors annually.


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