$5,600 raised by 28 donors
37% complete
$15,000 Goal
The Poudre Learning Center (PLC) has a unique opportunity to grow generations of environmental stewards by providing hands-on, outdoor educational experiences to K-12 students. A visit to the PLC may be the only exposure many students have to this type of learning. Removing financial barriers is critical in creating equitable access and ensuring all students develop an understanding of environmental issues and how those issues impact entire communities. Providing K-12 outdoor learning opportunities now will help to protect and sustain our environment for years to come!
The mission of the Poudre Learning Center is to awaken a sense of wonder and inspire environmental stewardship and citizenship by educating K-12 students through outdoor experiences and inquiry learning.
The Poudre Learning Center Foundation supports this mission through its own mission to recommend, promote, and encourage community support for excellence in outdoor experiential education and provide funding for infrastructure, projects, and educational programs at the Poudre Learning Center.
In 1986, Hall-Irwin Corporation purchased the site located at 8313 W. F Street in Greeley, Colorado. Gravel mining operations began the same year. Gravel was extracted for roadways, concrete foundations, trails and roadbeds. Upon completion of the project, Hall-Irwin Corporation saw an opportunity to support educational opportunities in the region. They realized the important role that hands-on, discovery experiences could play in a student’s learning and understanding of ecological resources. With this proven commitment to education, Hall-Irwin Corporation donated 65 acres of prime Poudre River riparian land to the local community for environmental education and the Poudre Learning Center (PLC) was established.
The Poudre Learning Center Foundation (PLC Foundation) was founded in 2015 to provide financial support for operations and growth of the PLC. Attendance at the PLC had risen to 22,000 annual visitors and the greatest need was for an educational, indoor space for students to go during inclement weather. Fundraising efforts resulted in the construction of a 7,200 square foot learning space that includes 6 potential classrooms and plenty of natural light. In its first month, this new building, the InSTEM Station on the Prairie, held programming for over 4,000 students, many of whom in the past would have had to cancel their field experience due to inclement weather.
In 2017, George and Betty Hall made a second donation of land on the north side of the Poudre River for educational experiences. The 133 acres just across the river and adjacent to the Poudre Learning Center, will be preserved for the enjoyment of many generations to come. Imagined possibilities for this special property, named the "Hall 133", include educational activities, walking trails, a demonstration farm area, open space to connect kids with nature, and even construction of a world-class astronomy observatory. These special projects will be funded through the PLC Foundation and generous donors in collaboration with other community partners.
Today, The Foundation continues to oversee fundraising efforts for the PLC in order to support field experiences for K-12 students and special projects at the InSTEM Station and the Hall 133. Community support is needed to sustain quality programming and ensure equitable access to outdoor learning opportunities. The PLC is a one-of-a-kind environment and we are proud to support the work that takes place to benefit students and our community!
Organization name
Poudre Learning Center Foundation
other names
PLC Foundation
2015
Tax id (EIN)
81-0723214
Category
Education
Organization Size
Medium Organization
Address
Poudre Learning Center 8313 West F StreetWeld County, CO, US