Stimulus Dollas Are Helping Refuge Environmental Education At St. Marks
I wanted to take a second and say hello! I am very excited to be involved with the Youth Ambassador Program. I can’t wait to update everyone about what is happening in our North Florida National Wildlife Refuges (St. Marks and St. Vincent). I also Look forward to reading the other ambassadors’ blogs!
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Federal Stimulus funds are bringing a dream to reality at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge near Tallahassee, Florida. St. Marks’ staff members are excited to have a facility that will help bridge the gap between nature and students. The new facility will offer a learning space better suited to serve the thousands of students that come through annually.
Today the building is starting to take form as walls and trusses have been added. Once finished, it will compliment the Visitor Center/ Office next door. The building is scheduled to be completed by summer 2011, in time for classes to start in the fall. The new Environmental Education building will be approximately 3,200 square feet and will contain two classrooms. One of the classrooms will be able to double as a conference or lecture hall. The other will contain both a wet lab and dry lab for hands on learning experiences. There will also be a special area for toddlers to get involved and explore.
It is so important these days to give students access to the outdoors. The philosophy of “Last Child in The Woods” by Richard Louv and his theory on Nature Deficit Disorder was one of the driving forces behind the new building. Once open it will bring St. Marks one more tool to connect nature and student. The excitement of the new building can be seen in the office everyday. A grand opening is in the works to celebrate this educational milestone. An update of the construction will be posted on the refuge’s Facebook site once it is up and running. So be sure to check it out! A link for the Facebook will be posted in an upcoming blog.
