User:Twininglight/Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education

Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education

The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education is an urban nature center located in the Roxbourough neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The center's mission is "to inspire meaningful connections between people and nature." Programming at the center falls into four areas: education, land restoration, wildlife rehabilitation, and environmental art.

History
The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education (originally named Schuylkill Valley Nature Center) was incorporated in July 1965. As a not-for-profit institution, the Center began operation as one of the first environmental education facilities located within the limits of a major metropolitan area in the United States. The organization's grounds, located on agricultural land that was farmed until the mid-1960's, has grown from the 11 acres originally gifted by the Center's Founders: Lawrence M. C. Smith, Mrs. Lawrence M. C. Smith, Mrs. Robert R. Meigs, and Henry H. H. Meigs. Under the direction of Richard James, the organization's founding Executive Director; the Center grew to encompass 340 acres of land including a variety of habitats including woodlands, meadows, five teaching ponds and wetlands.

In 2000, the Center adopted its Facilities Master Plan. This document was developed by Andropogon Associates, Ltd. and provides a framework for translating the Center's mission into a coherent physical plan in order to enhance the organization's educational programming.

Nature Preschool
In fall 2013, the Schuylkill Center started the Nature Preschool. This program enrolls children ages 3-5. Students go outside every day unless weather conditions are deemed hazardous. .