The Southern Environmental Center

building sustainable communities ...

The Southern Environmental Center (SEC) is the largest educational facility of its kind in Alabama and can handle groups of up to 100 visitors at a time. In addition to its award-winning Interactive Museum and EcoScape Gardens, the SEC is also active in the community. It has initiated a number of model partnerships targeting water quality, smog, and urban sprawl. Click here for directions to the SEC or here for a map of the BSC Campus.

Our purpose ...

is to show individuals how they can protect and improve their local environments. Complex topics like air pollution and water quality are presented in a way the general public can comprehend, as opposed to say, the contents of a DVD manual. Read about the latest happenings at the Center in our newsletter.

SEC Interior

SEC Tour Information ...

The Southern Environmental Center is a 5,600 square foot center with multi-media conference room and Gift Store housed in what was formerly an indoor pool at Birmingham-Southern College. It is perfect for schools, scouts, church groups, etc. There are grants available for schools to attend the center. More information about the grant programs is available here and here. Plan your next special event, meeting, or even child's birthday party with us. For rate information, please call 205-226-4934 or email rhazelho@bsc.edu.

BSC Ecoscape Visit The Interactive Museum (TIM), a two-story environmental showcase that challenges visitors to slide down a giant Sewage Pipe, lift a week's worth of garbage, or identify the sources of air pollution on a moving city scape model.

Next, take a tour of the nearby EcoScape, a 4-acre outdoor classroom whose paths wind through a miniature Mobile Basin wetland, past Beneficial Bug sculptures and Fragrance Gardens, and along the Appalachian Trail to a 2-story treehouse. Learn about medicinal plants, edible landscapes, and sustainable landscape practices.

Complete your visit by making EcoArt. Transform discarded telephone wires, bottle caps, old CDs and more into home jewelry.

Cost per person is $2 per activity or $5 for all three. Minimum group size is 10 people.

For a self guided tour print this scavenger hunt to take with you. Use the reflections page to get kids talking about what they learned and observed from the EcoScape.