RHERI’s Vision

Visitors to the RHERI will discover the natural beauty of the ecosystems that dominated the Montgomery area prior to European settlement, learn about plants utilized by Native Americans, and discover how European- and American-style farming altered the landscape. They will be able to understand:

• The role of sharecroppers and tenant farmers in maintaining the farming land-use model
• How the shift away from farming allowed some native plants to return while also creating a less biodiverse ecosystem home to a large number of invasive species
• What is necessary to return degraded habitat back to a native ecosystem
• The impact of various land-use decisions to individuals and the community 
• The benefits of restored native space
• The challenges that exist in creating healthy ecosystems in both rural and urban settings 

Educators will find intentional connections with AUM through teacher training programs, mentorships and volunteer opportunities. Educators and learners will have access to summer programming and ongoing field trips to experience/use the outdoor classrooms and educational spaces.