A plea to help kids connect with nature
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Have you been looking a local philanthropic cause that will help both children and nature?
Nature’s Calling Environmental Education (NCEE), an active local charitable organization, needs a permanent home base to deliver its engaging nature outreach programs to children and families throughout our community and beyond.
This summer NCEE found just the place - a 25-acre property in Norfolk County that has everything it needs. A piece of Carolinian paradise, the location has been lovingly cared for by a local conservationist. It has open sand barrens, a mature woodlot with extensive trails, two large ponds, a house and barn, and a cabin with look-out tower. It’s a place where kids will learn and love nature - but it comes with a price that NCEE simply cannot afford alone.
The organization already has a fundraising campaign in place to convert the residence into an outdoor learning centre and for other improvements, such as a natural play park and native plant gardens. However, to acquire the property outright, NCEE needs a patron or corporate sponsor, to acquire the property on their behalf. Patrons will receive a charitable receipts their contribution.
NCEE began life in Norfolk County in 2009 as Kids for Turtles with a basic mandate to re-connect children with nature. In 2012 the organization was incorporated as Nature’s Calling Environmental Education (NCEE) and in 2014 received charitable status.
Today, NCEE is well-known by local families, teachers, campers and others for delivering some of the most captivating educational and fun outdoor and nature programming not only in Norfolk County, but surrounding areas.
With a mission to “connect youth and families with nature and the outdoors, to raise awareness and appreciation for our natural world, and to foster a strong environmental ethic through community-based education and engagement”, NCEE’s appeal is broad. Innovative and educational programming that stimulates passion for the outdoors in all ages has made the organization an important cornerstone in southern Ontario.
NCEE’s Nature in the Classroom and Lessons in a Backpack programs have garnered enthusiastic praise from local teachers. The first brings nature and the environment into the classroom. The latter sees teachers bring students into outdoor classrooms, such as local woodlots and local farms. All programming is inquiry-based and follows the Ontario curriculum guidelines. Additionally, NCEE contracts with local provincial parks and private campgrounds to deliver interpretive programming during the summer months, as well as organizing local shoreline cleanups, bird box building bees, family hikes and more.
In 2013 and 2014 NCEE presented Spirit Walk, an outdoor theatre event at the St. Williams Forestry Interpretive Station. More than 300 people took in the show each year.
With the addition of Robin DeCloet, their new lead Environmental Educator, NCEE was able to offer a summer long Eco-Adventure Camp in 2016. The camp, held near Walsh, was an instant hit. As word spread about the camp, the number of children attending sky-rocketed. Kids spent their days in the forest and participating in games, hikes, nature study and story-telling.
If you would learn more about the project and to to help NCEE to continue to deliver these exciting community projects in a place of their own, please contact Bernie Solymár, Executive Director, at 519-427-9969 or info@naturescalling.ca.