Towards Sustainability Foundation Supports Lloyd Center for the Environment’s Climate Science Learning Project With $5,000 Grant
Dartmouth, MA. – The Lloyd Center for the Environment has received a $5,000 grant from the Towards Sustainability Foundation in support of the Center’s Climate Science Learning Project (CSLP). Aligned with the Massachusetts curriculum frameworks in science and engineering, the CSLP focuses on the projected effects of climate change on local biodiversity, introducing age-appropriate math, writing, critical thinking and life skills into core climate science lessons.
‘With the support of the Towards Sustainability Foundation, students from underserved, high-need areas will continue to benefit from unique, research-driven science education.’ stated Lloyd Center Executive Director Rachel Stronach. ‘The support of the Foundation is key to our ability to bring high quality educational programs to the surrounding communities. In addition to the Towards Sustainability Foundation, we also are grateful to the Braitmayer Foundation, CHT Foundation, Dominion Foundation, Island Foundation, Motorola Solutions Foundation, and Rodgers Family Foundation for their continued support of the CSLP.’
The Towards Sustainability Foundation grant supports system-wide participation by local fifth grade students in experiential learning about the effects of climate change on biodiversity, in their science classrooms and in field projects alongside professional research ecologists working on the Lloyd Center’s Biodiversity Initiative.
The Biodiversity Initiative seeks to fill significant gaps in knowledge about the biodiversity of Southeastern New England by gathering all existing data on the topic in one, easily accessible, interactive database. Access to the database will assist students of all ages seeking to learn about the effects of climate change on local biodiversity and/or town leaders seeking to create effective community management plans to protect local ecology.
The Lloyd Center for the Environment, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, founded in 1978 and situated with its headquarters and spectacular nature preserve overlooking the scenic Slocum River estuary, has achieved a well-earned reputation for excellence in environmental research and education. Through its innovative outreach programs, it has established itself as a highly regarded leader in the ongoing effort to raise awareness of the area’s fragile coastal resources and the importance of protecting them.
At its recently expanded 82-acre nature preserve, comprising pristine salt marsh, maritime forest and undisturbed wetlands, in one of the most unspoiled reaches of Dartmouth, the Visitor Center is open from 10 to 4, Tuesday through Saturday year-round, and on Sundays, June – September, free of charge. There, aquarium exhibits offer unique views of live freshwater and saltwater species of fish and other marine critters. The Center is also home to a fascinating collection of live local reptiles, many representing endangered species, being “head-started” and readied for release back into their natural environment. At the always popular touch-tank, youngsters learn the hands-on joy of socializing with gentle spider crabs, elusive minnows, sea stars (starfish), whelks, hermit crabs, periwinkles and mussels.
The top-floor Osprey Room Observatory, with its magnificent views of the Elizabeth Islands and Buzzards Bay, has been designated by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs as one of the Commonwealth’s top-fifteen “Special Places”. Through telescopes there, one can get a close-up view of formerly endangered Ospreys, and their chicks, nesting on platforms erected by members of the Center’s research staff.
Trails are open from dawn to dusk, seven days a week. The Lloyd Center for the Environment is located at 430 Potomska Road, Dartmouth, Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.lloydcenter.org or call 508-990-0505.
