In 1995 the idea of developing a natural resource interpretive center was recommended to be included in the Philomath Strategic Plan for Community and Economic Development. The Philomath Community Response Team (CRT) added the project and the Philomath City Council adopted the plan.

In 1997 the City of Philomath and CRT received funding from the United States Forest Service to complete a feasibility study for an interpretive center in Philomath. Individuals representing the City, County, State and Federal agencies as well as local interested citizens worked with Dean Runyan and Associates to develop the feasibility study. The study, completed in 1998, determined that indeed an interpretive center in Philomath was feasible.

One conclusion of the study was that the Center should be located at the former Willamette Industries mill site where the old log ponds had become a wetland with an abundance of wildlife inhabiting the site.

In 2002 the site was purchased by developers. Immediately the Marys Peak Natural Resources Interpretive Center Organizing Committee was formed. With the financial assistance of Dan Desler and Andrew Martin, the committee hired David Bucy and Associates, professional interpretive planners, to help develop our vision, mission, goals, and identify our target audience and key messages.

In March of 2004 the Marys Peak Natural Resources Interpretive Center was formally incorporated as a non-profit corporation in Oregon. We applied for and received our 501c(3) tax exempt status in September 2004.

A two-year purchase option agreement was signed in May 2007, and prior to completing this initial payment, both parties agreed to add an additional two years to the agreement.

The recent economic crisis challenged our ability to meet the annual option payment toward purchase of the Newton Creek Wetland site. In response, the MPNRIC Board of Directors voted to withdraw our purchase offer for the 121 acres. The owner, however, has granted continued student access for our existing programs, while we continue to explore other options to secure the wetland site.