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<br />Significant Outcome: <br /> <br />People need to become aware of the land and its resources in order for all <br />to survive. Environmental quality and human survival are interdependent. The <br />environmental curriculum will be used, kindergarten through the fifth grade, to <br />develop responsible members of the ecosystem. The center will assist students <br />in developing awareness and skills to make informed decisions that affect 'the <br />wildlife and environment. <br /> <br />Community/School Participation: <br /> <br />Our school is a kindergarten through fifth grade elementary with a population <br />of 350 students. One third of the student population is bused from the lower <br />socioeconomic area. The Parent Teacher Organization provides the school with <br />$2000.00 annually for innovative programs and materials. <br /> <br />The Colorado Extension Service has provided many hours of consultation <br />concerning planning, curriculum and landscaping. We have utilized the expertise <br />of the Colorado Springs Utilities Department of Water as well as the Colorado <br />Springs Men's Gardening Club, Both of these groups have donated hundreds of hours <br />tO,our interdisciplinary program. G. E. Johnson, a local contracting firm, has <br />been contacted and arrangements_for the planned amphitheater are being discussed. <br />A local contractor has' committed to donating the needed cement. A volunteer <br />, private architect has been working on the design and details for' the construction <br />and cost of the amphitheater. The district facilities office was instrumental <br />intiating the original plan for our center. <br /> <br />Some of the curriculum objectives and activities will come from Project Wild <br />and Project Learning Tree. Biological Science Curriculum Studies and Alliance <br />for Science have ,also contributed to concepts and techniques to be~tilized in <br />the development of the hands-on curriculum. <br /> <br />In the past, low cost plant-material has been available from the Soil <br />Conservation Service. We are hopeful that the service is still available. A <br />local nursery has made many plants available at an affordable price. A spring <br />planting is planned around Arbor Day. <br /> <br />The district grounds and maintenance people will provide the labor and <br />equipment for the construction of the environmental center. The staff at Oak <br />Creek has donated many hours in the the formulation of the center and its <br />curriculum development. The students of Oak Creek have helped in the selection, <br />planting and caring of 'the ,existing and newly planted landscape. Student Council <br />has designated the center as their project for the year. All-their' proceeds from <br />their store and other projects will be donated to the environmental center. <br />