589547675 1515564067243640 4012995948073787576 N Alabama, Andalusia, Auburn, Auburn University, College Of Forestry Wildlife And Environment — The Solon Dixon Forestry Education Center’s new dormitory in Andalusia. (Auburn University College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment / Facebook)

Deep in the forests of southwest Alabama, Auburn University is preparing a new chapter for the Solon Dixon Forestry Education Center, a 5,400-acre residential field house station in Andalusia operated by Auburn’s College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment (CWFE).

By summer 2027, a new dormitory will be in place to house 64 students in natural resource training.

With modern amenities, security and suite-style shared bathrooms, the residence hall will replace two existing dorm buildings that are weary from almost six decades of use.

588990453 1515564123910301 212938778050600742 N Alabama, Andalusia, Auburn, Auburn University, College Of Forestry Wildlife And Environment — The new dorms will replace the pre existing two built in the 1970s. (Auburn University College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment / Facebook)

The center houses Auburn’s forestry summer programs, a statewide forestry academy and the National Wildland Firefighter Apprentice Program, sponsored by the U.S. Forest Service. The development will strengthen the center’s role as a premier natural resource training hub in the Southeast.

The $5.7 million project was approved on Nov. 21 by the Auburn Board of Trustees. The anchor gift was given by the Solon and Martha Dixon Foundation for building the new 12,000-square-foot dorm, yet another significant donation to the center by the foundation.

The CWFE is also working hard to raise over $2 million toward the dormitory.

“The foundation’s investments have enabled the center to evolve as a vital hub for education, research and conservation efforts that directly benefit the college, as well as a range of stakeholders within the state and nation,” said CWFE dean Janaki Alavalapati.

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