Guelph Lake Nature Centre is holding a reunion and open house on Oct. 14, from noon to 4pm with plenty of free activities and a chance to learn about the new nature centre that is planned for the site.
Everyone in the community, including past and present students and their families, is invited to visit the nature centre for an exciting afternoon of fun and learning about nature. Activities led by experienced nature interpreters will include visiting with the creature teachers, geo-dashing, guided nature hikes and the popular predator-prey game.
Over the past year, nearly $360,000 has been raised for a new Guelph Lake Nature Centre on the shores of Guelph Lake. The new nature centre will replace the current 33-year-old converted house which is no longer big or durable enough to meet the needs of 22,000 visitors and students each year. As maintenance costs have continued to rise, the time has come for a purpose-built nature centre. It will cost about $3 million to construct.
Representatives of the Grand River Conservation Foundation spoke to community leaders about this project and found that many people understand that young kids, and even the community at large, are not as connected to nature as were past generations. Through active learning such as nature hikes, tree identification and educational games in the outdoors, a fire can be lit in students to seek experiences in nature.
Donors like George and Wendy Cuthbert are choosing to support the new Guelph Lake Nature Centre because they believe in educating young people to encourage passion and respect for the environment.
The Rotary Club of Guelph Charitable Foundation contributed $50,000 and another five figure gift came from Thomasfield Homes. Ken and Marilyn Murray, Bill and Mimi Hamilton and Dr. and Mrs. Russell Willoughby have also taken their life-long support of the environment and education to donate to the new centre.
The GRCF and its dedicated core of volunteers are always looking for other community members to join in the effort to make the new Guelph Lake Nature Centre a reality. The project will break ground when 75 per cent of the funds have been raised or pledged. This is currently projected to be the end of 2013. Volunteer commitment and donations are the cornerstones to success of a project of this scale.
Anyone who would like to join the volunteer group or make a donation,is encouraged to contact Logan Walsh at the GRCF: lwalsh@grandriver.ca or 519-621-2763 ext. 2371
Visit www.grcf.ca/GLNC for more information.
