Photo provided by Berks Nature
Looking to become more environmentally friendly, aka “greener,” and understand how to better preserve the beauty of our county? If you answered “yes,” head to Berks Nature, an organization dedicated to doing just that and committed to educating community members on how to do so, too.
A nonprofit serving the area since 1974, Berks Nature has done work that varies from water protection and land preservation to managing trails, cultivating community gardens, providing education programs, and more! The heart of its mission in Berks County is simply environmental conservation, but as they have found, this is anything but basic.
These days, the team at Berks Nature is thrilled about the additions and construction happening at what they formerly called the Boathouse, an 800-square-foot, one-classroom structure in Reading’s Angelica Park. With the new additions, it will be transformed into The Nature Place, a building described as an “environmentally and aesthetically respectful education center.”
The new building will feature two large classrooms, which can be combined into one large educational area, and two conference rooms for the purpose of large partnership meetings. There will be an outdoor classroom, an interactive (and organic) community garden, and an outdoor play area for children to visit, learn and connect with the world around them. The Nature Place will house a new “dirty classroom,” described as “a unique space for active learning about sustainable living, water supply, land use, food supply, air quality and energy conservation.”
The opening of The Nature Place is anticipated for September of 2017, shortly after it becomes the location of Berks Nature’s headquarters. The team currently operates in downtown Reading, on North 11th Street.
Though construction will continue through the summer, Angelica Park is remaining open for visitors to enjoy. Berks Nature’s Summer Eco-Camp and educational programs will run out of The Nature Place, as will other events, including a two-part Pendora Park lecture and hike and a Solar Eclipse Party led by Berks historian Paul Druzba.
Berks Nature Preschool will open for the first time at The Nature Place this fall. Berks Nature believes their preschool classroom will provide exciting opportunities for children to discover the natural world and take pleasure in the nearly 100 acres of land at Angelica Park, while simultaneously receiving all the preparation they will need to begin school.
For more than eight years, Berks Nature has been leading a project called the Berks Nature State of Environment Program, which works to protect and raise action and awareness of natural resources in Berks County. In September, they will host one of their quarterly events, titled “Sustainability & Your Business,” highlighting green practices for businesses. Berks Nature will also play a large role in the 2017 PA Greenways and Trails Summit held at The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reading in late September. The event will offer mobile workshops to hundreds of trail professionals, volunteers and advocates.
With all that’s happening at Berks Nature in this upcoming season, the organization’s dedication to setting an example for conservation and sustainable development in the region is clear. Through the opening of The Nature Place, they hope to welcome visitors from Berks County and beyond.
