Updated learning
laboratory to
reopen early 2018
STORY AND PHOTOS BY ELIZABETH KESSEL
After graduation in June,, the Environmental Leàrning
Center will shut down for restoration purposes and
redesign o f the area until the end of 2017. Students,
staff and the community alike will be able to explore
the new ELC at the beginning of 2018.
On Feb. 23, everyone from staff, to students and the
community were invited to the ELC gathering where
everyone could share their inform ation, stories and
artifacts.
The ELC has a rich history and m any fun stories.
For example, the lights in the Lakeside Education Hall
were donated from the Clackamas County Sh eriff’ s
Office, which were confiscated from a marijuana growing
operation. Also, the ELC used to have one of the first
recycling centers in Oregon.
Many stories and great experiences have taken place
at the ELC, and for reasons like this, the ELC is getting
â "makeover.”
Some o f the things to look forward to are: a new
outdoor am phitheater for classes, seven new m etal
bridges made by welding students, and a clean-up of
the creek that runs through the site.
O ther changes include new, large windows for
classroom s, new restrooms to keep up w ith AD A
compliance, an upgrade to the pavilion, turning it into
a wetland and the addition of a Giving Tree.
The Giving Tree is part o f a fundraising effort for
sustaining the ELC.
“ It’s a learning experience for students,” said Jennifer
Nelson the project coordinator for the ELC restoration.
“ Our art department and welding department is creating
a building that is structured outo f metal, and it’s going
to be a large statue, basically a tree. We have multiple
shaped leaves, and you can, for $250, purchase a leaf.
We’re going to have a plaque on them, your name would
be engraved.”
Classes will be integrated with the ELC starting in
2018, which will get more students outside, according
to Renee Harber, the ELC educational program manager,
“ There has been a strong educational program here in
the past, but it has gone up and down over the years^”
said Harber. “ Our goal now is to bring it back up, to
where we’re a leader in environmental education for
the community, for K-12, for school groups. Community
members will have community workshops, and also we
want to do some industry trainings. ”
Harber is planning to get classes including welding, art,
writing and biology outside, using the ELC for educational
purposes.
Doug Neeley, form er mayor o f Oregon City and
long-tim e supporter of CCC, agrees that the programs
combined with the ELC will be successful.
“ It will lead to more program activity occurring here
that was lost in the past,” said Neeley.
On May 18, there will be a restoration kickoff held at
the ELC for everyone to participate in. On April 22, mini
classes, craft projects and music will be held for Earth
Day.- People can learn about attracting wildlife, plant
identification and more.
The ELC, is a place of nature within the city, where
people can listen to the birds and frogs while enjoying
a walk over bridges. The restoration that will take place,
will take a beautiful place and make it even better.
Jennifer Nelson of campus services and Renee Harber of horticulture attend the Environmental
Learning Center ceremony on Feb. 23. The ELC and surrounding areas will be getting a facelift this
summer and are expected to reopen in early 2018.
4 ClackamasPrint MARCH 1,2017theclackamasprintcom