For
three years the Grand Valley Zoological Quest (GVZQ) non-profit has been
raising awareness and funds to build a zoological center here in the Valley.
By October the GVZQ will open The
Children’s Center at 404 Jurassic Avenue in Fruita.
Executive
Director Janet Gardner was excited to sign the lease last week for the 3000
square foot facility located across from the Dinosaur Journey and a part of the
Culture Corridor in Fruita that leads from I-70 and over the Colorado River to
the National Monument.
The Children’s Center will
be open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will consist of several educational immersion exhibits,
both with and without animals.
“Phenomenal
exhibits such as the coral reefs, living fossils, rainforests, animals of
Western Colorado, and arthropods will provide opportunities for both formal and
informal education,” Gardner explained.
Since
2011 over 16,000 students of all ages have participated in the Grand Valley
Zoological Quest’s educational programs throughout the Valley.
Fruita
Fall Festival, Farm and Ranch Days, EdZOOcation Day, Boo at the Zoo, Zoorific,
plus after school programs at Shelledy Elementary and Grand Junction High were
just a few.
According to Gardner, “All this without
the benefit of a building to call home.
The Children’s Nature Center will
be the first step in the Zoo Quest to have a non-profit, self sustaining
accredited zoological science building on the Western Slope so Valley residents
will have a local facility and not have to travel 250 miles to Denver or Salt
Lake City, and visitors can learn about the area wildlife and beauty.
Executive Director Janet Gardner is
very excited to reach this three-year milestone for GVZQ. “Opening this
Children’s Center will allow us to expand our education programs and increase
our outreach to the community about education, conservation and importance of
animals in our lives.”
“Imagine
the excitement in education we can create with The Children’s Nature Center!”
Exhibit
sponsorship opportunities available call Janet at (970) 245-6588.
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