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Career Preserve asks Lee County for annual support and a 15‑passenger van to expand preschool and after‑school programs
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Summary
Michael Buckman, executive director of the Career Preserve & Nature Center, asked the Lee County Commission at its February work session for an annual appropriation (proposal discussed as $25,000) and a one‑time purchase of a 15‑passenger van to support field trips, a nature preschool and a new after‑school program. Commissioners asked for legal review; no vote was recorded.
Michael Buckman, executive director of the Career Preserve & Nature Center, told the Lee County Commission on Feb. 2026 that the preserve serves the county and nearby cities and is seeking two investments from local government: an ongoing annual appropriation and a one‑time purchase of a 15‑passenger van to expand field trips and launch an after‑school program. “We have 30,000 plus visitors every year,” Buckman said, describing the preserve’s reach and programming.
The preserve asked the commission to consider establishing what commissioners read as a $25,000 annual contribution and to approve a capital purchase of a 15‑passenger van. Buckman said the van would enable the preserve’s nature preschool and after‑school programming to transport children to and from schools and community sites, and would reduce reliance on outside transport. “Right now, we usually have to rely on Tiger Transit, which is $2,000 or more per day,” Buckman said, noting that repeated transit rentals are not a sustainable model.
Buckman outlined the preserve’s growth and finances to explain need: the organization’s annual operating budget grew from under $200,000 in 2017 to more than $600,000 today, driven by expanded camps, field trips and preschool programming. He said Auburn previously committed roughly $50,000 annually and Opelika provides about $25,000; with Lee County participation Buckman said government support could total roughly $100,000 a year.
Commissioners asked whether the preserve had pursued grants and partner contributions. Buckman and a preserve representative said they had approached philanthropic groups and private donors with limited success and that some prospective funders advised asking local government first. One commissioner asked whether Auburn and Opelika were participating; Buckman confirmed Auburn and Opelika have provided earlier support and described Auburn’s prior role in hiring the preserve’s first full‑time staff.
Commissioner(s) and county staff said the county attorney/CEO would review legal and budgetary options before the commission took action. Presenters offered to share contacts at Auburn University and additional documentation. The request was heard during the work session but no formal motion or vote was recorded; county staff indicated they would check what the county is authorized to provide and report back.
