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Happy 39th Anniversary

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By CHERYL KUCK

Tribune correspondent

Published: May 21, 2008

THONOTOSASSA - Nature's Classroom marked its 39th anniversary with an Earth Day-related celebration.

About 2,000 people turned out for last month's two-day event, which included an art show and tours.

The outdoor environmental studies center on 365 acres along the Hillsborough River is operated by the Hillsborough County School District in a partnership with the property owner, Southwest Florida Water Management District.

Since 1969, every sixth-grade student in the county - more than 328,000 and counting over the years - has had the opportunity to participate in the center's programs.

Students spend three days at the center hiking through wetland and upland habitats, boating, studying animals and more.

Three years ago, Nature's Classroom began an extensive renovation and building program with help from the Hillsborough County Education Foundation and major contributor TECO Energy.

Nature's Classroom administrator Karen Johnson Folsom wanted to offer an eco-birthday party for the public to view the site and acquaint visitors with its programs and summer day camps.

This year's celebration, held in honor of Earth Day, included an art festival judged by three environmentalists.

The winning artist was Fred Rothenbush of Ruskin.

The goal is to establish a permanent collection of original artworks for the facility's TECO Energy Center for Environmental Studies.

Plant City was well-represented in this year's celebration, including 35 members of Boy Scout Troop 14 and their leaders who helped artists set up, guided traffic, provided security and assisted in keeping the visitor areas clean, among other duties.

Twelve volunteers from Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Plant City, which sponsors the troop, offered face paintings of wildlife images and themes.

Folsom said the face painters were wonderful.

"They were one of the big hits of our entire event, and I hope they will come back next year for our big 40th celebration," she said.

Anyone interested in participating in next year's celebration, as an exhibiting artist, donor, volunteer or other role, should contact Folsom at (813) 987-6969. The center is at 13100 Verges Road, Thonotosassa.

The center's Web site is at www.naturesclassroom.net.

Correspondent Cheryl Kuck can be reached at wkuck@tampabay.rr.com.

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