FOLEY — A new 1,300-square-foot facility at Foley's Graham Creek Nature Preserve will explore the future of agriculture in Baldwin County and beyond.

"This will be a working educational facility," Graham Creek Manager Leslie Gahagan said. "We will be looking to begin tours in January."

The estimated $375,000 facility will be funded with Graham Creek's Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) money.

Named the Graham Creek Nature Preserve Ag Building, the facility was designed by WAS Design and will include a large enclosed walk-in cooler for the hydroponics department, a 600-square-foot covered porch, storage space, restrooms, offices and an outside kitchen.

The Highland Group broke ground on the new addition in June, and this is the second project of its kind that The Highland Group, WAS Design and Graham Creek Nature Preserve have partnered to complete in recent years.

"Graham Creek has been recognized as one of the most outstanding nature facilities in Alabama," Foley Mayor Ralph Hellmich said. "And we look forward to this new addition that will help to further expand the ecotourism opportunities available here."

Graham Creek Nature Preserve provides a habitat for hundreds of rare plant and animal species. The preserve also provides educational, recreational and venue rental opportunities for the community. Graham Creek is located at 23030 Wolf Bay Drive in Foley. For more information on the Graham Creek Nature Preserve visit grahamcreekpreserve.org.