Nurturing Our Future Irvine Nature Center’s Lands and Trails Endowment Campaign.
“People protect what they love.” Jacques-Yves Cousteau The Irvine Nature Center is an oasis, a unique natural setting within a fast-growing suburban area. We’ve been teaching kids to explore and learn in nature for 40 years. Irvine welcomes all to our six miles of trails in the bucolic Caves Valley, our educational gardens, our campsites and our 17,200-square-foot environmentally sensitive building. Our 116 acres on Garrison Forest Road are surrounded by an additional 1,400 acres of valley and hills protected by conservation easements.
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The Heart of the Matter On any given day, through camps, our Nature Preschool, field trips, professional development, and many other programs, Irvine educates and inspires current and future generations to explore, respect and protect nature.
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When the sun goes down the natural world offers a whole different perspective. The sounds, shadows, smells are all different at night and then the stars! Our senses respond differently after dark. That’s what camping is all about. Gregory C. Pinkard, Trustee Emeritus
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“ Research suggests that exposure to the natural world—including nearby nature in cities— helps improve human health, well-being, and intellectual capacity in ways that science is only recently beginning to understand.” Richard Louv Author of Last Child in the Woods and The Nature Principle. He coined the term “Nature Deficit Disorder”.
Exposure to Nature: Ample scientific evidence confirms that early experiences with the natural world develop imagination and wonder, important motivators for lifelong learning. Children who play outside have more positive feelings toward each other. Being outdoors is key to developing a child’s independence and autonomy. Time spent outdoors makes children happier, healthier and smarter: Fresh air and exercise are more important than ever in a time of rising obesity rates and sedentary hours in front of computers and other screens. Outdoor activity reduces stress, increases selfesteem, teaches cooperation and inspires empathy for living things. Nature-based learning bolsters concentration, creativity and problem-solving skills.
Did You Know? Children can identify up to 1,000 corporate logos, but fewer than 10 plants or animals native to their own back yard. By the age of eight, children can identify 25 percent more Pokemon characters than wildlife species. 5
Irvine is a Leader Among Maryland’s Environmental Education Centers Irvine has increased attendance more than fivefold over the last several years. Last year, we attracted 70,000+ visitors, who roamed our biologically-diverse property of woods, wetlands and wildflower meadows and participated in hundreds of environmental education programs. Field Trips
Irvine’s field trip attendance grew 80% in 2014, to 2,550 students from 68 schools, who met our live animals, got dirty, and learned about nature in outdoor programs that supported their local science requirements. Classroom Outreach
This past year, Irvine led 80 programs for 2,809 students in schools that could not visit Irvine. Nature Preschool
Irvine’s is the only nature-based school in Maryland with accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children, and one of just a few nationwide to earn the recognition. 6
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It’s Never Too Early... ...to begin the pleasure of being curious outside.
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I am still amazed at the impact that nature has had on my young children. From their first nature walk to their latest stream stomping adventure, nature has given them perspective on the world outside of themselves and has taught them to have respect and compassion for all living creatures. Meg Lawrence, Trustee
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Professional Development Irvine is helping Maryland teachers deliver environmental education that exceeds state curriculum requirements. Last year, our education team led 29 professional development courses, workshops and seminars, reaching 559 educators, who are now taking their students outside for high-quality nature-based learning. Irvine is also providing consulting services to help schools create Outdoor Classrooms and win Green School certification. By “teaching the teachers,� Irvine ensures more students receive high-quality environmental education.
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Environmental Stewardship Irvine provides many opportunities for learning in nature, setting the stage for a lifetime of respecting and enjoying the outdoors. For Example
Field trips to Irvine give students opportunities to assess water quality, learn the features of a healthy watershed, observe flora and fauna, and discuss ways to protect the water supply. As part of our Upstream–Downstream field trips, middle school students compare the pristine water of Irvine’s property with more polluted tributaries closer to the Chesapeake Bay. Irvine brings hands-on lessons about the local ecosystem to Baltimore City and Baltimore County students, who learn what they can do to protect the environment.
“Stewardship is not possible without a strong sense of connection to the natural world.” Maryland Partnership for Children and Nature 13
Nurturing Curiosity & Wonder Few things are as important for a child as being outdoors. It instills a sense of being at one with the world.
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When I was a child I helped my grandfather at his farm. I remember us roaming around his fields with a net looking for insects. I enjoyed that experience more than any science textbook. Willis Chen, Parent and Volunteer, The Nature Preschool at Irvine
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Community Outreach/Education Irvine’s programs reach people of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds in schools, libraries, senior centers and recreation centers. We are passionate about providing environmental education and outdoor experience to anyone who seeks it. Of particular importance is reaching children in Baltimore City Public Schools, who may not have many opportunities to enjoy and learn from nature.
“ I really liked when we went to the stream and Emma and I caught a snapping turtle.... Yes, I think that I will go back because I like to look at all of the birds. If I do go back I would like to learn more about the birds and their nests and the eggs they lay. ” Ty’netra
“ I like that we got to look for different invertebrates and we could test if the water is polluted or not. ” Walter
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Children in The Ark, Baltimore’s only preschool for homeless children, come to Irvine once a month for lessons that develop self-confidence, curiosity, language skills and kindergarten readiness.
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“ No one is an environmentalist by birth. It is only your path, your life, your travels that awaken you.� Yann Arthus-Bertrand Environmental Photographer
I remember climbing trees, mucking around in streams. I remember spotting deer crossing the trail, the fox at dusk in the meadow. That is all still with me. Lynn Jordan, Trustee Emerita and Past President, Irvine Nature Center.
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The Case for Supporting Irvine & Nature As a private nature center, run by a volunteer board that employs a top, able staff, we are responsible for our financial well-being. We follow sustainable economic principles and we are debt free. We own, manage and steward our amazing property, and strive to offer the best in hands-on, cutting-edge environmental education for all. As recently as 2008, about 90% of Irvine’s income came from philanthropic support. Now, our programming, including our robust Nature Preschool and summer camps, accounts for more than 50% of our income. Irvine has also become a popular destination for weddings, birthday parties and other special occasions, and we have also raised over $2 million toward the $3.5 million goal of our Land & Trails Endowment Campaign.
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Put Your Money Where Your Heart is Irvine’s endowment is mission insurance. It keeps the center open to the public at no charge. It provides financial stability. Your donation to Irvine helps us reach the next generation and show them how much there is to learn in nature.
“ A healthy endowment is the soil that nourishes and supports our vision. Irvine’s Land & Trails Endowment Campaign will help ensure we remain the region’s premier provider of environmental education, an important free community resource where our land stewardship serves as a model for others.” W. Brooks Paternotte Executive Director, Irvine Nature Center
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Endowment is Not a Dirty Word Find out how you can partner with us to make our successful nature center play yet a greater role in the Baltimore community. No gift is too small. Philanthropic giving can be creative.
We welcome the opportunity to have a conversation with you.
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Campaign Chairs
Stephen J. Kelly Barbara B. Shea Honorary Campaign Chair
Gregory C. Pinkard Executive Director
W. Brooks Paternotte Director, Endowment Campaign
Anna Lincoln Whitehurst Director of Development
Janet H. Harvey Ambassadors
Topher Brewer Angus M. Burton Judy Van Dyke W.T. Dixon Gibbs, Jr. F. Gillis Green Janet H. Harvey Ellen & James E. Ivey Lynn & Terral Jordan Patty & Justin Klein Meg & Robb Lawrence
Thomas B. McCord Carol and Tom Obrecht Danielle Oster James Piper III Sage Platt Holly & James Riordan Frances & Rick Rockwell Adair B. Stifel Thomas D. Washburne, Jr.
Irvine Nature Center
11201 Garrison Forest Road Owings Mills, Maryland 21117 Phone: 443-738-9231 Fax: 410-902-8210 Irvine Online www.explorenature.org.
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“ Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books.” John Lubbock 19th Century Scientist
and Philanthropist
“Look, look! Look deep into nature and you will understand everything.” Albert Einstein