Environmental Education Center Becoming a Reality

- Groundbreaking ceremony draws federal, state and local officials -

TALLAHASSEE - The 20,000 square-foot Environmental Education Center (EEC) at the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve drew closer to reality at today's groundbreaking ceremony. Several high-ranking estuary proponents attended the event which appropriately coincided with National Estuaries Day. Department of Environmental Protection Secretary David B. Struhs opened with remarks and read a letter from Governor Jeb Bush.

"Florida has the unique distinction of being the only state in the nation with three National Estuarine Reserves," said Struhs. "The educational center at Guana, Tolomato, Matanzas will play an important role in sharing the wealth of information they hold. We are excited about this new public resource."

Struhs welcomed guest speakers Laurie McGilvray, Chief of Estuarine Reserves Division, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Florida Senator Jim King, and Joanelle Mulrain, Northeast Florida Regional Director for U.S. Senator Bill Nelson.

The message among the speakers was unanimous - Estuaries are of vital importance. They serve as a nursery for marine life, provide habitat and protection for endangered species, and help pre-vent erosion.

The EEC will be operated by professional educators and will provide a hands-on teaching environment where students can learn through experience. Programs will be presented for Kindergarten through 12th grade, general adult audiences, university level students, and environmental professionals. Science related courses will be available to both public and private school teachers.

The 2,000 square foot Visitor's Center will include interpretive environmental displays, a full audio-visual auditorium with capacity for 150 people, a reference library, teaching and working labs, outside touch-tanks with live marine specimens, and an outdoor deck overlooking the Guana River.

Construction will begin this fall.

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Resources for: Citizens Educators Businesses Government Information Calendar Contacts News Newsletters Organizational Chart Publications & Reports Unless indicated, documents on this Web site are Adobe Acrobat files, and require the free reader software.	Press Office FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 05, 2002 Environmental Education Center Becoming a Reality - Groundbreaking ceremony draws federal, state and local officials - TALLAHASSEE - The 20,000 square-foot Environmental Education Center (EEC) at the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve drew closer to reality at today's groundbreaking ceremony. Several high-ranking estuary proponents attended the event which appropriately coincided with National Estuaries Day. Department of Environmental Protection Secretary David B. Struhs opened with remarks and read a letter from Governor Jeb Bush. "Florida has the unique distinction of being the only state in the nation with three National Estuarine Reserves," said Struhs. "The educational center at Guana, Tolomato, Matanzas will play an important role in sharing the wealth of information they hold. We are excited about this new public resource." Struhs welcomed guest speakers Laurie McGilvray, Chief of Estuarine Reserves Division, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Florida Senator Jim King, and Joanelle Mulrain, Northeast Florida Regional Director for U.S. Senator Bill Nelson. The message among the speakers was unanimous - Estuaries are of vital importance. They serve as a nursery for marine life, provide habitat and protection for endangered species, and help pre-vent erosion. The EEC will be operated by professional educators and will provide a hands-on teaching environment where students can learn through experience. Programs will be presented for Kindergarten through 12th grade, general adult audiences, university level students, and environmental professionals. Science related courses will be available to both public and private school teachers. The 2,000 square foot Visitor's Center will include interpretive environmental displays, a full audio-visual auditorium with capacity for 150 people, a reference library, teaching and working labs, outside touch-tanks with live marine specimens, and an outdoor deck overlooking the Guana River. Construction will begin this fall. -30- Sign up for DEP's Press Releases email:
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