Still enthusiastic from the momentum built on Giving Tuesday Nov. 29, the Allan Brooks Nature Centre (ABNC) is asking that you consider their organization when choosing holiday charity recipients.
The centre brings people of all ages together to experience nature through a variety of family-oriented events that promote nature education, stewardship and culture. This year was the centre’s most successful to date, in part due to new public programming, including family festivals and raptor programs.
The live bird-of-prey programs introduced this past spring in partnership with The Raptors were greeted with exceptional response in the Okanagan. This is a one-of-a-kind experience in which owls, vultures, hawks and other majestic birds fly untethered above guests. Designed for all ages, The Raptors engage all of the senses and bring the public closer to the natural world.
“We would like to thank our community for making 2016 our best year yet! We engaged over 10,000 youth and many of their families on and off-site,” said Aaron Deans, ABNC executive director. “Due in part to this success, we have now outgrown the capacity to host larger events and sustain growing community involvement. Support will help us establish additional facilities and sustainable revenue generation to provide another step towards self-sufficiency.”
This spring the centre’s outdoor Peregrine Theatre was built with donated equipment, lumber and volunteer hours. Upgrades to the current space would include theatre expansion and creation of additional bathrooms and parking to not only respond to the centre’s needs, but serve a regional desire for more arts and cultural performance space.
A desire for more performance art venues was identified by the Regional District of North Okanagan as the number-one greatest need in the Greater Vernon Cultural Plan, according to the public. Proposed upgrades would allow the centre to offer additional nature programming, outdoor performances, educational presentations, corporate events, weddings and more.
The centre is funded largely from admission and memberships, private and corporate sponsorship and donations, and community grants. In 2014, ABNC asked for community support to upgrade flooring and were absolutely floored by the positive response as they were able to reach their goal of $25,000.
How to donate? Simply head to www.abnc.ca this December to give the gift of nature.
For more information on the ABNC Facility Expansion Initiative, email communications@abnc.ca.