The Forrest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center officially celebrated its 1 millionth guest visit today (Wednesday).

The center has been a staple of outdoor education in northeastern Arkansas since it opened Aug. 25, 2004.

Cody Walker, AGFC nature center director, said the staff noticed earlier this year that they would hit the million-visitor mark soon and decided to make it a nice welcome for the lucky visitor who helped make the center’s milestone complete.

“We love all of our visitors here, but this one was special,” Walker said. “And we didn’t just get to celebrate the achievement with one person, but a family who visits regularly.”

Destiny Watson and three of her children came through the door at 11:46 on Tuesday morning to break the 1-million mark, and won a gift basket filled with outdoors-inspired items, courtesy of the AGFC. Watson has visited multiple times and was actually at the center the weekend before with her son, who couldn’t make Tuesday’s trip. She said they always enjoy the trails, and her children especially love the snake programs and the center’s movie theater that plays an immersive video of how Crowley’s Ridge was formed.

“We are so excited to have hit this milestone and to celebrate with Destiny and her family,” Walker said. “To quote her son Jensen, ‘Best day ever!”

The Forrest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center on the southern edge of Jonesboro tells the story of a unique ridge atop the Mississippi Delta with indoor and outdoor exhibits, films and trails.

The 17,033-square-foot, three-story facility sits on 160 acres that adjoin the southern boundary of Craighead Forest Park.

Visit www.agfc.com/crowleysridge for more information about the center and the many experiences waiting for the next million visitors.