Connecticut’s First Nature Explore Classroom Opens in Stamford

This is a very cool story, and very promising as we teach children to better use our natural resources, and get them, too, to understand that we need those resources as a foundation for any sustainable economy.

Here's the link:  http://3blmedia.com/theCSRfeed/Connecticut%E2%80%99s-First-Nature-Explore-Classroom-Opens-Stamford

Part of the story:

"Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens, Stamford-based nonprofit Keep America Beautiful, Inc., and project sponsors PepsiCo and the Arbor Day Foundation proudly announce today’s grand opening of Connecticut’s first Nature Explore Classroom, a dynamic, nature-based play and learning space that applies research-based, field-tested design principles to enhance children’s experiences in the outdoors.

The new Nature Explore Classroom will provide a space for children and families to gain a hands-on appreciation for nature and the natural world while gaining valuable, “unwired” experiences in the outdoors. Features include a performance space, a “messy materials” section, arts and crafts stations, climbing and crawling areas, a music and movement station, and more.

“This Nature Explore Classroom is the perfect outdoor complement to the new Silver Education Center and will help us fulfill our mission by providing an opportunity for children to explore nature creatively,” said Peter Saverine, Executive Director of Operations for Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens. “We’re thankful to all of the people and organizations that have made it possible.”

The classroom, which broke ground in May 2011, was completed thanks to generous donations from Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo and the Arbor Day Foundation. Employee volunteers from PepsiCo and Keep America Beautiful, along with students from area schools, assisted in the design and construction of the classroom.

“As part of our mission to engage young people in environmental stewardship, Keep America Beautiful is thrilled to help bring Nature Explore Classrooms to communities nationwide,” said Matthew M. McKenna, president and CEO of Keep America Beautiful. “Here in our hometown, this project is all the more meaningful to our organization. We hope this will be an amenity that the Stamford community can enjoy for many years to come.”

It would be nice to see this idea expand and take root in other communities.  Nice job to all.