Grandfather Mountain supporters have broken ground on a new conservation campus. The Wilson Center for Nature Discovery expands the current Nature Museum.
The Watauga Democrat reports that the project will add new features including more than a dozen interactive exhibits to teach people about the natural communities found on the mountain.
An additional 10,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor educational space is being added. That will double the amount of room for field trip visitors, and also create event and conference space for Grandfather Mountain.
The project is expected to cost $5.5 million, and officials with the nonprofit say more than 80 percent of the money has already been raised.
The center is expected to be completed in 2021.