PINETOP-LAKESIDE - The White Mountain Wildlife and Nature Center has had a busy summer, yet there's much more action to come.
Over 1,250 residents and visitors attended nine hands-on discovery programs at the fledgling Nature Center's site, enjoying programs ranging from living in harmony with urban black bears to presentations with live owls and wolves and a workshop on personal GPS units.
The overwhelming response and the positive feedback received from program participants demonstrate just how ready the White Mountains are for a nature center. And while the summer focus has been on nature discovery (and fun) for all ages to promote awareness and responsible action towards nature, the center has made numerous site improvements.
These site improvements include signs, an informational kiosk, parking area, foot trails and a bridge and thinning to promote forest health. Members have also upgraded and improved their Web site and are working to secure funding for a visitor/interpretative center.
This fall, the Nature Center will partner with the Pinetop-Lakeside Chamber of Commerce on the Fourth Annual Woodland Wildlife Festival to be held Oct. 3-4 at the Nature Center site at 425 S. Woodland Road in Pinetop-Lakeside.
In order for the Nature Center to be able to offer programs and continue to grow, its board of directors and volunteers are working hard to raise funds. The Nature Center's Fourth Annual Benefit Dinner is scheduled for 6 p.m. Aug. 28 at Hon-Dah Casino in the Mount Baldy Room.
This event offers great entertainment (local band Fat Chance), great food with a western buffet and vegetarian selections and lots of excitement. Local celebrity Jineane Ford-Ross will serve as master of ceremonies, and Overseas Aircraft Support has stepped up to be the event's grand sponsor.
Thanks to gracious donations by area businesses, a wide array of quality merchandise will be offered during live and silent auctions and raffles.
This annual fundraiser represents the center's primary source of revenue. A successful fundraiser will allow the Nature Center to continue to work toward making a visitor/interpretative center a reality as well as being able to offer quality programs in the future, including a Kids Kamp next summer.
Tickets are $60 each and can be purchased at the Pinetop-Lakeside and Show Low Chambers of Commerce, Little Log Cabin Antiques in Lakeside, by calling (928) 367-5675 or online at
www.wmnature.org.
This Web site also provides additional information on the Nature Center, its schedule of programs and access to its Nature Store.
The Nature Center is located at 425 S. Woodland Road in Pinetop-Lakeside, between Big Springs Environmental Study Area and Mountain Meadow Recreation Complex.
Additional information on the Nature Center, its complete schedule of programs, and the online Nature Store are available at www.wmnature.org or call 928-367-5675.
