District Celebrates Environmental Center Project Launch

Plans for the Saucon Valley Environmental Education Center on the campus of the were celebrated with a "Project Launch" program April 20.

The program included an assembly in the auditorium, displays of K-12 environmental projects and guided walking tours of the area that will become the education center.

The SVEEC project is being spearheaded by the Saucon Valley Foundation for Educational Innovation (SVFEI), a nonprofit organization that raises and contributes funds for education-related programs in the district.

"Conceptual ideas for the Environmental Education Center include: an educational pavilion for outdoor learning, access trails, weather stations and student-planted gardens. Bat, bird and toad houses, habitat signage and a sun dial are some of the lower-cost possibilities for the 3-4 acre undeveloped natural area on school district property, between the school district campus and ," foundation member Pete Kowalski said in an email.

The center will be located along Polk Valley Run, between some of the district's athletic fields to the north and a corn field to its south.

Other planned features that were highlighted on a map distributed to visitors are a butterfly garden, bird blinds, creek observation stations, a stepping stone crossing, a rain garden, a pavilion, a trail, and possibly links to other nearby paths.

Student guides and environmental club members Jennie Cawley and Liz Dabundo, who are both in eleventh grade, explained that another future goal is to help restore the riparian buffer on the south side of the stream, where the corn field extends almost to the water's edge.

The area is a great location for bird-watching and viewing wildlife, such as native turtles, they said.

Assistant school district superintendent Dr. Carl Atkinson, who was on hand to discuss the SVEEC while tours were being given, praised the project and the opportunities for hands-on learning it will afford students.

He said that the development of the environmental education center will largely depend on the rate at which funds can be raised.

Currently, to support the project and a number of corporate donors have recently been announced, including the Majestic Realty Foundation, Capital BlueCross, The Graham Company, PPL, , Air Products and Rodale.

More information about donating to the SVFEI fundraising campaign can be obtained by emailing Joe Savage at JMS1701@gmail.com or Anne Baum at abaum@vision-accomplished.com.

More information about the Saucon Valley Foundation for Educational Innovation is available at www.svfoundation.net.