1. A Master Plan to develop The Nature Center was completed by Inside-Outside Company  in 1995 and paid for by the East Texas Woods and Waters Foundation.

2. The Friendship Pavilion was constructed.  Work and materials for the Friendship Pavilion were donated and constructed by Red Suspender Timber Frames of Lufkin, East Texas Sweetgum and Blackgum Shake Roof, and sponsored by Pineywoods RC&D, U.S. Forest Service, Texas Forest Service and volunteers from Texas Parks and  Wildlife Department.

3. The Nature Center was used by students from Camp Tyler, Discovery Science Place, TISD Students, Pre K, Head-start, East Texas Schools, Church groups, Day Care groups, Boy Scouts, College Students, and bird watchers.  A grand total of 6,767 people have visited the Center.  The students have ranged in age from 4 years through Post Graduate College Students.  Hunter Education Instructors have also held 27 hunter safety classes on the facility, instructing a total of 1,054 students.  Several Kidfish events were held at the pond, including two "Big Brother" and "Big Sister" fishing events.  The East Texas Woods and Waters Foundation has held annual fundraising banquets and auctions at the Friendship Pavillion Site.

4. A donation of $3,250 was secured from The National Rifle Association to purchase supplies and materials to be used for future Hunter Education Classes.  Trees were cleared and food plots were planted as part of an Upland Wildlife Demonstration project funded by the Tyler Chapter of Quail Unlimited donation of $6,000.00.  A grant of $48,688.00 was received by the Texas Recreational Trail Fund and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Infrastructure Division to place a handicapped accessible trail in the Upland Demonstration Area.

5. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department staff planted native aquatic plants in the pond and wetland area.  The plants were obtained from Gus Engeling WMA, Camp Tyler, Tyler Fish Hatchery, and from donations by the US Army Corps of Engineers Experimental facility in Lewisville, Texas.  Wild grape was also planted along the front fence adjacent to Farm Road 848 by Department staff using grape plants from the Gus Engeling WMA. 

6. The Nature Center’s pond and pier were constructed with funds provided by Sonat Exploration Inc. and Donnie Sport.  Fish stockings and vegetation control on undesirable aquatic plants have been done by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Inland Fisheries personnel.

7. A bathroom facility and brick walkway were constructed adjacent to the Friendship Pavilion using funds provided by East Texas Woods and Waters Foundation and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

8. Native grasslands are being re-established through prescribed burning and at present  contain 219 species of forbs and 60 species of grasses.

9. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice and Smith County provided inmates to clear fence lines, repair fences, haul brush, improve trails, remove invading plants from the grasslands, demolish old bird pen facility and help plant and fertilize food plots in the Upland Demonstration Area.

10. Roads on the Nature Center were renovated and new parking lots were constructed under the supervision of the Texas Department of Transportation.

11. The East Texas Woods and Waters Foundation provided support for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to prepare pamphlets covering vegetation, reptiles and amphibians, mammals, birds, wetlands and forest management for timber and wildlife.  These are complete and available for teachers and visitors.

12. Two interpretive nature trails were developed with a trail guide.  A short upland trail next to the main building may be walked in about 15 to 25 minutes and a longer trail along Quail Creek may take 30 minutes to 1 hour to walk.

13. Information kiosk building and information panels were constructed at the main parking lot.

14. Construction documents were developed by Sinclair and Wright Architectural Firm for renovation of the maintenance shop building at the pond into a Visitor Center.    Construction is to begin in September 2003 by a local construction company.  Construction costs are being shared between the East Texas Woods and Waters Foundation and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. 

15. The work to make the main building ADA-accessible is complete.  A new ADA-accessible restroom has been completed in the main building as well.  This work will facilitate easier access and use of the main building by the public for programs and presentations.

16. The paved ADA portion of the Upland Wildlife Demonstration Trails has been completed.  Benches and interpretive features are in development along this trail.

17. The Tyler Chapter of Master Naturalists has been providing additional volunteers to assist with the Nature Center projects.

18. Construction documents needed to build the new TPWD Regional Inland Fisheries office are in preparation.  All construction funds needed for the Project have been secured.  Construction of new office building to begin in 2004.