Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust, a leader in environmental education in the region, is pleased to announce the launch of a 60th Anniversary Capital Campaign to provide enhancements to its Environmental Educational facilities at the Van Vleck Sanctuary in Woodbury.
The campaign, which seeks to raise $600,000, has kicked off with great success, including a generous gift of $20,000 from the Ellen Knowles Harcourt Foundation.
“This exciting campaign seeks to enhance Flanders’ ability to educate and serve the thousands of children, adults and families who attend immersive, educational programming here at the campus,” says Flanders Nature Center Board President Jodi Wasserstein. “When complete, this project will add a state-of-the-art lab to the existing historic Trail House, enabling Flanders to educate more children at summer camps and NGSS Academies. It will also provide space to graduate-level researchers conducting vital environmental research on the campus’ 200-plus acres.”
The addition of facilities to the iconic Sugar House guarantees year-round use of the building for maple sugaring operations and youth and family programming. Two pavilions with solar panels on their roofs will also serve as space for youth education while providing sustainable energy for the organization.
“This Capital Campaign will not only increase Flanders’ ability to accommodate more campers, but it will also solidify the nonprofit as a leading location for conducting environmental research,” adds Flanders Executive Director Vincent D. LaFontan. “It will help Flanders carry out its mission to appreciate nature’s wonders, preserve land, inspire lifelong learning about our natural world and strengthen our communities’ environmental courage to do what we can during a time when our climate is changing.”
Stay tuned to Flanders’ social media pages and website for updates on the campaign progress.
For more information on how to donate to Flanders’ 60th Anniversary Capital Campaign, contact Director of Development Jennifer Callery-Stokes at 203-263-2711 ext. 15 or jennifer@flandersnaturecenter.org.