The Green Center Awarded Grant; Will Use Money For Environmental Education Program

The Green Center has been awarded a $5,000 grant by the University City Education Foundation (UCEF), a press release from the center said. 

The Harriet Woods Award is designed to provide funding for innovative programs within the School District of University City.

The Green Center, which is located at 8025 Blackberry Avenue, and describes itself as a center for outdoor environmental education and the arts, said it will use the money for its new environmental education program, Connecting With Nature, which will kick off this summer. 

The program will take middle school students, ideally from Brittany Woods Middle School, which is within walking distance to the center, into its 30-acre outdoor learning spaces to engage in science-and-arts integrated activities.

According to the press release, the students will be encouraged to document nature using creative writing, descriptions in prose and poetry, journaling, sketchbook drawing and photography. The center hopes the students will become mentors to other students. Organizers also hope that the experience will lead to the formation of an after-school enrichment club for middle school students.

U City students who have completed sixth Grade during the 2010 – 2011 academic school year may apply to participate. Applications are available at The Green Center.

Harriet Woods was a city councilmember in U City, state senator, and the first woman to be elected Lieutenant Governor of Missouri. She died in 2007. 

UCEF  is a nonprofit organization that was established in 1996 to enhance the educational program in the School District of University City. Its purpose is to attract private funds to supplement state, federal, and local revenues. The foundation provides support for the development of enrichment programs and services.