Who: Hillsborough Education Foundation representatives and the Hillsborough County School Board, Southwest Florida Water Management District Board members and staff
What: A ribbon-cutting ceremony is being held to celebrate the completion of extensive renovations and new construction at Nature’s Classroom. The renovations began in 2000 and were completed with the help of the District and many other public and private partners.
When: Tuesday, February 17, 4 to 6 p.m.
Where: Nature’s Classroom, 13100 Verges Road, Thonotosassa, FL 33592
Why: The final phase of renovations, which involved relocating and building new animal enclosures, was completed in November 2008.
District Contact: Colleen Kruk, senior land use specialist, 352-279-3876
Directions: From I-75: Take Exit 266 east, which is CR-582A/Fletcher Ave. Merge onto CR-579 N/Morris Bridge Rd. then turn left on Charlie B Way.
Nature’s Classroom Fact Sheet
In 1968, the Hillsborough County School Board operated a small but successful environmental education program called Nature’s Classroom on a tract of land along the Hillsborough River.
In 1969, the Southwest Florida Water Management District acquired the land Nature’s Classroom was located on as part of the Lower Hillsborough Flood Detention project.
The District entered into a partnership agreement with the school board to continue Nature’s Classroom and expanded it to 365 acres.
In 1995, the Hillsborough Education Foundation, in partnership with the District and school board, launched its Students First campaign to raise funds to continue the program and renovate the facilities. As a result of the campaign, many public and private partners contributed more than $3 million to the renovations and additions at the site. In addition, the District’s contributions of more than $1 million to these efforts provided the foundation with the necessary funding to complete the project.
The renovations and additions include a new environmental education center, an interpretive center, a new welcome center and boardwalk, aviary and animal habitats, boat dock, 11 outdoor classrooms, three river shelters, restroom facility and sidewalks adjoining the educational areas. New fencing and roads were also constructed. The pavilions have also been refurbished and all power lines have been moved underground. The final phase, which involved relocating and building new animal enclosures, was complete in November 2008.
In addition to donating the land for Nature’s Classroom and contributing funds for construction, the District budgets $40,000 for water resources education programs at Nature’s Classroom each year. Since 1994, the District has contributed $620,000.
District funding helps pay for classroom grant programs, additional elementary and high school environmental programs for students, part-time teacher salaries, workshops, curriculum development and program coordination.
District staff also help train Nature’s Classroom staff, Florida’s Wetlands teachers, and other teachers in Hillsborough County on a regular basis.
Since 1969, more than 356,000 sixth-grade students in Hillsborough County have benefited from annual environmental education field trips to Nature’s Classroom.