Mission

The mission of the Ozark Natural Science Center is to "enhance the understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of the Ozark Natural Environment." We achieve this mission by providing education programs that immerse participants in the wonder of the Ozarks ecosystems and celebrate ecological and cultural diversity, foster conservation and stewardship, and nurture appreciation of nature in the Ozarks. Our programs focus on helping children and adults develop a sense of place and a wonder for the diversity of life and the importance of natural systems around us.

Our Message

Our mission statement describes our message and approach well. Conservation ethics are the underlying thread that ties all of our education topics and activities together. Whether by acting out and discussing Dr. Seuss's The Lorax for a group of school-aged children around a campfire or by outlining personal choices for sustainable living for corporate executives, we remind people that they hold the power to protecting and caring for the natural world.

Enhancing Understanding

ONSC's programming offers participants timely and deep information on how ecosystems in the Ozarks function and the human role in those natural systems. Our school-based programming is aligned with many of the Arkansas Department of Education learning frameworks, providing a potent environment for school groups to learn about the natural sciences "where they happen". ONSC's staff are well-versed in educational techniques for informal settings and have backgrounds that span from aquatic resources to zoology and all share a love for sharing their knowledge of the natural world with other people.

Enhancing Appreciation

We believe that when one understands the natural world better they are more likely to appreciate the complexity and diversity of nature around them. Furthermore, we believe that teaching about nature is most effective through the vehicle of recreation. We teach while hiking on trails, paddling on rivers, wading in creeks, and crawling in caves. We know that allowing students to touch and experience the topic firsthand is the key to developing a lifelong appreciation for nature.

Enhancing Stewardship

Developing in people a deeper conservation ethic is the ultimate goal of our mission statement. We believe that understanding leads to appreciation and therefore a sense of empowerment to steward the natural world. We know that each person's lifestyle can include steps to lessen human impact on the natural world and preserve it for future generations. Therefore, our programs include practical ways that students young and old can live a more earth-friendly life.