[audubon-news] FW: OFFICIAL PARTNERSHIP ESTABLISHED TO LEAD WILDCAT GLADES CONSERVATION AND AUDUBON CENTER
- From: "BIANCHI, John" <JBIANCHI@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <Audubon-news@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2003 17:30:26 -0500
> Contact: Linda Vanderveer
> 212/979-3197
> lvanderveer@xxxxxxxxxxx
> OFFICIAL PARTNERSHIP ESTABLISHED TO LEAD
> WILDCAT GLADES CONSERVATION AND AUDUBON CENTER
>
> Historic Agreement Signed Between Audubon Missouri, Missouri Department of
> Conservation, and City of Joplin
>
> Joplin, MO, March 20, 2003 - The Wildcat Glades Conservation and Audubon
> Center in Joplin took a significant step forward today, as officials with the
> Missouri Department of Conservation, City of Joplin, and Audubon Missouri
> signed a formal agreement to partner on the project. The signing took place
> during the Missouri Department of Conservation> '> s monthly Commission
> meeting, which is being held at the Joplin Holiday Inn especially for this
> event. Those on hand to ink the deal were National Audubon Society> '> s
> President, John Flicker, Joplin Mayor Richard Russell, Audubon Missouri staff
> members, Missouri Department of Conservation Commission Chairman Howard Wood
> and Director John Hoskins. The signing of this agreement solidifies the
> partnership of these three organizations, which has been in the works for
> more than two years.
>
> Under the terms of today> '> s agreement, Audubon Missouri will lease 46
> acres in Wildcat Park from the City of Joplin for a period of 50 years. The
> lease consists of two back-to-back 25-year leases for $1 a year. The
> agreement also solidifies the terms of several key sources of funding for the
> center, including the $2 million matching grant from the Missouri Department
> of Conservation earmarked for the bricks and mortar of the nature center
> building. Another key source of funding will come from the City of Joplin,
> under which the terms of the agreement will be realized up to $500,000 for
> both on and off-site public improvements.
>
> "> At Audubon we seek to connect people with nature,> "> said National
> Audubon Society President and CEO John Flicker. > "> We are extraordinarily
> fortunate to find partners in Missouri that share our vision. The Wildcat
> Glades Conservation and Audubon Center will provide valuable outdoor learning
> experiences for residents and visitors of Joplin by directly connecting them
> with the birds, other wildlife, and unique landscapes found here. Today> '>
> s agreement marks an investment in this community by all of our partners, and
> a commitment to enhance the quality of life for not only the people of
> southwest Missouri, but for residents of the surrounding region.> ">
>
> "> This is a great asset for Joplin and the surrounding community,> "> said
> Joplin Mayor Richard Russell. > "> This Center will be a highlight not only
> for our residents but for the many visitors and tourists that come to Joplin
> and southwest Missouri. The many resources in this new facility will provide
> numerous opportunities for outdoor activities, and family outings and
> gatherings as well as educational field trips. With this new development,
> Joplin and the metropolitan area will experience a positive impact in our
> schools, tourism offerings and economic development. The City of Joplin is
> honored to have the first Audubon Center in Missouri, and we look forward to
> serving as a model for future Audubon Centers throughout the state.> ">
>
> "> The chert glades of Joplin are a globally unique habitat found only in a
> small area of southwest Missouri. The two best examples are found right here
> in Wildcat Park,> "> added Mike Skinner, Missouri Department of Conservation
> Biologist. > "> By creating a nature center that uses this local natural
> feature as an educational tool and outdoor classroom, we can help people
> throughout this community and the state better understand the biological gems
> we are blessed with in Missouri.> ">
>
> The next step on this project is to complete the Center> '> s business plan,
> which is now in its final stages. And as this plan nears completion, many
> new elements have already been fleshed out, including target audiences,
> program ideas, conservation work, and building components. After conducting
> a thorough assessment of community needs, the Center> '> s Stewardship Board
> has determined programs will focus on youth, elementary schoolchildren,
> families, and tourists. However, these groups won> '> t be the only ones
> served. Programming will also be developed for secondary schoolchildren,
> seniors, teachers, and civic groups.
>
> Programming ideas vary according to the needs and skills of each audience,
> but will range from indoor activities with crafts, video and lab equipment to
> outdoor programs with learning stations focused around natural features such
> as caves, ponds, streams and glades. Three nature trails are planned to
> serve as backdrops for the outdoor classroom activities, as will Shoal Creek,
> which runs through Wildcat Park. All of the Center> '> s programming will
> emphasize hands-on learning, which helps participants understand and connect
> with the natural world. Programs for schoolchildren will integrate with
> classroom curriculum.
>
> Proposed conservation projects include native plant gardens at the front
> entrance to the Center, and habitat restoration throughout the park> '> s 150
> acres of glades, bottomland woodlands, and stream areas. The partners will
> also study the role of the Center site in the greater Spring River watershed
> and develop additional conservation projects in keeping with the needs of
> this broader ecosystem. > "> There are aquatic species that are found only
> in Shoal Creek and Spring River and no where else in the world such as small
> fish like the Neosho Madtom, as well as certain other darters and unique
> mussels,> "> states Tony Robyn, Audubon Center Director.
>
> In keeping with Audubon> '> s mission of using environmentally sustainable
> building practices for its centers, the Wildcat Glades Conservation and
> Audubon Center will be designed with the help of National Audubon> '> s
> in-house Green Buildings Director and Crowder College in Neosho, a national
> leader in sustainable design. Green architectural design elements include
> energy efficient lighting and heating components, water conservation
> measures, recycled building materials and hydroelectric energy from a small
> adjacent pond dam.
>
> The Wildcat Glades Conservation and Audubon Center is a cornerstone of
> Audubon> '> s 2020 Vision, a national environmental education initiative to
> create a network of Audubon Centers across the country providing children and
> others with direct experiences in nature. Through programs that encourage
> hands-on discovery and learning, Audubon Centers help visitors better
> understand the natural world around them and inspire and a passion for taking
> care of it.
>
> Audubon is dedicated to protecting birds and other wildlife and the habitat
> that supports them. Our national network of community-based nature centers
> and chapters, scientific and educational programs, and advocacy on behalf of
> areas sustaining important bird populations, engage millions of people of all
> ages and backgrounds in positive conservation experiences.
> # # #
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Kristy A. Wright
> Media Representative
>
> National Audubon Society
> 700 Broadway
> New York, NY 10003
> 212.979.3027
> www.audubon.org
>
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