When I first came across this category, I did a web search for courses in Alabama. The Vulcan Orienteering Club in Birmingham has a list of permanent courses in the state. They listed the Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve in Auburn and included a pdf map. We had visited the Preserve several times while geocaching and had never noticed the orienteering markers. So we took the map and headed to Auburn to learn about the courses.
Once we saw our first marker and learned about the item that looked like a clothes pin but really was there to punch holes in the paper, it began to make sense. We also spoke with the person who was preparing for a class for some children. She told us they normally had printed copies of the orienteering maps available but were out at the moment.
The orienteering map is available at (
visit link) The web page for the Preserve also has their trail map at (
visit link) The letters on the orienteering map had A, B, and C, so we interpret that to mean they have three courses. We were not able to find information as to difficulty level, length, and climb, but if we could figure it out, it must be rated for beginners. There are some hills along the trails, but nothing major. The course is maintained by the Preserve. The coordinates are for the Preserve entrance in the main parking area.
Here are the coordinates from some of the points:
Point BK: N32° 39.639 W85° 29.073
Point CD: N32° 39.582 W85° 29.090
Point CM: N32° 39.562 W85° 29.228
The following information about the Preserve comes from their web page listed below:
"Welcome to the Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve an outreach program of the A.U. School of Forestry & Wildlife Sciences. Experience the wonders of nature as you navigate through more than five miles of trails and take in all that nature has to offer in this beautiful site in the city of Auburn, Alabama. We welcome you to come and relax while visiting our turtle pond, butterfly garden, or beautiful waterfall. Take a deep breath and let your mind wander through an experience that only nature can offer. The Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve has much to offer for all ages, including environmental education programs and workshops. Please read our Upcoming Events section for upcoming events and newly scheduled activities. Check out our map to see sites to visit. Enjoy our new Nature Playground, the first of it's kind in Alabama. We hope to see you soon!
Open seven days a week from sunrise till sunset.
No pets. No bikes. No admission fee.
Areas of Interest
Pond, waterfall and streams
Reptile, Fern and Native wildflower viewing areas
Butterfly garden
Old homestead and barn
Turtle Habitat
Long Leaf Pine Demonstration Forest
Wildlife Viewing Blind (area)
Nature Playground
Songbird Observation Kiosk
Features:
Over 30 trails spanning five miles through various habitats (120 acres)
The Frank Allen Turner Amphitheater- a 100 seat multi-level meeting area with restrooms, wheel chair ramp, drinking fountain, and fire pit
Open pavilion with office and restrooms
Kiosks providing maps or trails, the preserve and other educational information
Two large parking areas
Year-round orienteering courses
Global Positioning System (GPS) benchmarks"