River overlook
2009 is the beginning of a new era for the Harris Nature Center Foundation. After two years of writing bylaws, the Foundation directors are finally ready to tackle the mission of fundraising to support and enhance the work of the nature center.
In the last few months of 2008, the directors discussed a beginning project. The nature center has many needs and it was difficult to know where to start. At one board meeting, a director asked, “What makes Harris Nature Center so special?” Immediately, several other directors answered, “the river!” The Red Cedar River flows by the nature center and forms a northern boundary for the park. The significance of the river made it clear that a project improving visible and physical access to the river should be a high priority.
The Foundation plans to build a river overlook near the back of the nature center at the northwest corner. The Red Cedar River provides a unique landscape for the Harris Nature Center, yet during half of the year, trees and bushes hide a view of the river. An overlook would provide school and day camp children, as well as the casual visitor, with an unobstructed view of the river. From this location the observer can easily study the meandering river and the floodplains next to it. As an outdoor classroom, the overlook will allow additional programming inside the nature center.
The entrance of the overlook will be relatively level with the ground, but the opposite side will be partially cantilevered over the hill side that goes down to the river. There will be railing around much of it and built-in backless benches on one side and most of the back. A path will connect the overlook with the front of the nature center and will be handicap accessible. The Foundation intends to use recycled materials to build it and have maintenance be minimal. Designing the overlook with informative and creative features is a priority. A future follow-up to this project is to construct a platform next to the river so students or visitors can do activities like water testing, dipping nets into the water, or fishing.
As a relatively new organization that has just started to fundraise, we are looking at ways to finance the river overlook project. In January, 2009, we held a silent auction in conjunction with the nature center’s Winter Wonderland festivities. About five hundred people attended the events. Besides raising funds for the project, we distributed fliers about the Foundation and its mission. Additional fundraising plans include applying for appropriate grants, connecting with local businesses and corporations, hosting special events, sending out newsletters, publicizing the Tree of Thanks donations, and developing a donor list. The Foundation is also participating in a Michigan State University technology class and four students are designing a website that can be used to inform others about the Harris Nature Center, the Foundation, and to assist in fundraising. 2009 will be a busy year!