Glass-bottom boat tours will be available by reservation only, and a 50% capacity limit will restrict each boat to 10 riders. Preregistration is available online, and annual pass holders and guests with promotional passes must reserve their tickets online and in advance.
Face coverings and social distancing will be required for guests, and tour boats will be cleaned before and after boat tours, according to a press release issued by the university.
The trails at Spring Lake and wetlands boardwalk will be open during operating hours with no reservation required.
"We want to thank the public for all of their patience as we made a plan for the best way to reopen Spring Lake in the midst of a pandemic," said Miranda Wait, deputy director of Spring Lake operations, in the release. "Our guests have been dearly missed by The Meadows Center family and we look forward to welcoming everyone back."
Group field trip tours will continue to be unavailable, and the Discovery Hall and offices at Spring Lake Hall will also remain closed.
Spring Lake diving operations will resume for scuba diving instruction and the AquaCorps, a volunteer diving program responsible for removing debris and invasive species from the bottom of the lake, according to the press release.
"Our volunteer divers are without a doubt an essential component of keeping Spring Lake healthy and viable for the threatened and endangered species," said Caleb Henderson, Spring Lake dive coordinator, in the release. "With the lapse in diving activity, aquatic vegetation began to establish itself in spring areas resulting in potential loss of habitat."
The center also provides educational videos and hands-on science activities that can be done at home for people uncomfortable with public spaces because of the pandemic.
To support the center, tax-deductible donations can be made to the Meadows Center for Excellence Fund.
"This crisis came at our busiest time of year, and the impact has been significant," Wait said. "Our facilities are not able to reopen at full capacity, some of our facilities still remain closed and most of our education programs and initiatives have been halted until further notice. This first phase of reopening is not the end of our journey and we still have a long road ahead to recovery."
