Annual Campaign
The Annual Campaign raises funds for:
- Nature Education & Exhibits (such as Nature Scopes, field trip transportation, and special educational exhibits)
- Land Preservation & Stewardship (such as trail improvement, amenities and park enhancements)
- Unrestricted Funds (funds allocated to Foundation and park projects as determined by the Geauga Park District Foundation).
Special Exhibits at The West Woods Nature Center
The Foundation is committed to securing private funds for special bi-annual exhibits at The West Woods Nature Center in order to offer a premier educational experience for Geauga school children, families, and park visitors. GPDF raised $29,815 in 2004 for Engage the Ice Age and $45,120 in 2006 for Bio-Centennial, an exhibit highlighting a 200-year history of wildlife. In 2008, GPDF raised $25,864 to support the development of Wild Nights: Nature at Night and Underground. Along with its complementary educational presentations and programs, Wild Nights was experienced by over 21,000 people.
The Geauga Park District Foundation is pleased to support top-notch nature education programs including Geauga Park District’s Nature Scopes program, the first binocular, nature education program of its kind in the country.
The Nature Scopes program was established in 2003 in response to research showing that close encounters with nature create a direct, personal involvement with the outdoors that cannot be matched by classroom discussion or viewing photos in textbooks. The program supplements school science instruction by providing hands-on lessons matched to the Ohio Content Standards for 5th grade Science education. For more on the Nature Scopes program click here to access the Nature Scope's page.
During the year-long program, Geauga County 5th graders participate in a total of six interactive sessions involving outdoor exploration. The program concludes in May with a field day where students are awarded their own binoculars and field guides for participating in the program.
A gift of $37 will provide a pair of Bushnell binoculars and 4 different Peterson Field Guides for one 5th grade Geauga Nature Scopes participant when he/she completes the program!
“I absolutely loved the Nature Scopes program. I think it is important for kids to know the earth and their surroundings.” ~ Lindsey, Grade 5, St. Mary’s School
“With the Foundation underwriting the cost of binoculars and field guides for each student, and with Geauga Park District making nature education local and personal, Nature Scopes is a great partnership for inspiring a new generation of conservationists.” ~ Tom Curtin, Executive Director, Geauga Park District
The Foundation wants you to enjoy all that Geauga Park District has to offer. Please contact us at legacy@geaugaparkdistrict.org or call 440.286.9516.
Click here to donate now.
