South Country Co-op opens door to outdoor classroom
A $100,000 donation from South Country Co-op has paved the way to rebuild the outdoor classroom space at the Helen Schuler Nature Centre.
The new space will increase learning opportunities to visitors to the centre and provide an engaging setting for education and programming.
“Part of South Country Co-op’s mission and commitment to our members is to invest locally and we’re incredibly proud to invest in the Helen Schuler Nature Centre,” said Carmen Hudson, marketing and community relations manager of South Country Co-op. “The Helen Schuler Nature Centre is an integral part of environmental education and stewardship. There’s no better place to learn about the importance of our ecosystem and how to do better for the environment than in the breathtaking river valley with a stunning view of the iconic High Level train bridge.”
Coreen Putman, Nature Centre Manager says the donation allows the centre to be able to provide accessible learning to visitors in a new and immersive way.
“We’re incredibly grateful that South Country Co-op have awarded us with a Community Spaces grant,” says Putman. “We are situated in a beautiful part of our river valley and being able to engage people of all ages in this setting is something we’re really excited to do in a new way.
Outdoor Classroom project major supporters include:
Co-Op Community Spaces
City of Lethbridge
TD Friends of the Environment Foundation
Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwest Alberta
Lethbridge Auto Dealers Association
Alberta Real Estate Foundation
Oldman River Chapter of Trout Unlimited
Public Service Alliance of Canada - Alberta Agriculture Union
The Helen Schuler Nature Centre is a team of volunteers, staff, and partners dedicated to offering a wide range of interactive experiences that connect people to their local natural heritage. In doing so, the Nature Centre fosters a community of environmentally aware and responsible citizens.
Work is expected to start on the design of the outdoor classroom in the coming months.
Curtis Goodman announces the Outdoor Classroom project
Ken Moore thanks donors and supporters of the Outdoor Classroom project
Jessica Deacon-Rogers, playing a Bark Beetle, playfully interrupts the presentation to share why the Outdoor Classroom project is important to local wildlife
Jim Saunders, chairman of the Alberta Real Estate Foundation, shares why the Outdoor Classroom project is important for our community and region
Charleen Davidson, Executive Director of the Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta, announces their support along with the Lethbridge Automobile Dealers Association (LADA)
Candace Misouka and representatives of TD Friends of the Environment Foundation share why the Outdoor Classroom project is important to them
Curtis Goodman, playing Archie Duck, responds to Coreen Putman, playing Edith Duck, as they playfully announce the new Outdoor Classroom at the Nature Centre
Paige Rosner, acting as a resident porcupine, interrupts representatives of South Country Co-Op to share why the Outdoor Classroom project is important to resident wildlife
South Country Co-Op presents a cheque for $100,000 to the Nature Centre. From left to right: Jessica Deacon-Rogers, Carmen Hudson, Coreen Putman, Paul Haynes, Curtis Goodman, Darren Andrew, and Paige Rosner.