Piedmont Environmental Center, founded in 1972 and settled on 376 acres of completely protected land, provides programs and a place for people to learn, conserve, and enjoy the natural world.Their main building was built with recycled materials. Building space includes an auditorium for seminars, conferences, and meetings; a classroom for school and public programs; a Nature Store offering bird seed, feeders, and houses, field guides, nature oriented toys, miscellaneous gifts, and various books including children's nature books and an extensive North Carolina book selection. Programs are offered at the Center for organized school groups, scout groups (seeking badge requirements), organized church groups, environmental and hiking org anizations, birthday parties, general public weekend ecotours, international ecotours and others.