May 2017 | 55
“T
o walk in nature is to witness
a thousand miles.” - Mary
Davis. There are some things
that just can’t be taught
in a classroom. Exploring the great outdoors
can expand the mind and nurture the soul
in ways that a textbook is unable to do. The
E.O.Wilson Biophilia Center is a place where
children are educated through interactive,
hands on sustainability and nature-based
programming for schools and other groups.
“This is such an arduous task – trying to
save biodiversity. We can only do it through
our children, and our children can only do
it if they are armed with the knowledge and
the passion,” stated E.O. Wilson Biophilia
Center Founder, MC Davis. Walton County,
Florida, is home to this incredible nonprofit
environmental education center. The Biophilia
Center educates, on average, 100 students a
day in fourth and seventh grades, Monday
through Friday from five local surrounding
counties (Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Washington,
and Holmes). “The local school districts
consider our facility to be an extension of their
classroom, as we are their science education/
project-based learning facility, the place where
schooling becomes applicable,” described
Lauren Bray, Development and Events
Coordinator/ Environmental Educator. The
Biophilia Center opens doors for so many
children by allowing public school students to
visit the Center free of charge for either two
or four day programs that are filled with over
twenty different environmental science lessons.
Lauren Bray said, “We partner with
businesses, universities, and other non-profits
to teach the principles of sustainability and the
importance of conservation and preservation
of the natural world around us.” The Center
is focused on spreading teaching throughout
the community by opening their doors to
the public during the summer and providing
offsite outreach education. Students and others
who visit the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center
learn about the natural environment through
interpretive exhibits, wildlife ambassadors,
and an extensive trail system through natural
areas on Nokuse Plantation. Fourth Grade
Teacher from Patronis Elementary, Anna Hull
recognizes the Center’s importance saying,
“Without this Center our students would not
have had these chances to open their minds
and spirits to nature in the most up close
and spectacular ways. Just listening to their
conversations sparked by these opportunities
I can tell you that lives are changed. Our
students are passionate about the world in
which they live and for which they will, one
day, be responsible. It has been a priceless time
for them and one that will have far-reaching
benefits for many.”
story by
Courtney Murray
|
photos provided by
E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center
E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center
XX-XX GiveCareShare.indd 1
4/24/17 11:32 AM