Environmental literacy should be available to everyone! Exactly one year ago, we reported on a very exciting dream just coming to life over at the Heckrodt Wetland Reserve: a sky-high adventure in discovering nature, designed to give those with challenges of any kind, from financial to physical, access to this learning opportunity in the trees!

Local artists help create elements like wood carvings and decor for the project.

Today Heckrodt’s Children’s Canopy Walk, a project funded by generous donors from the community, is getting ready to celebrate the grand opening of its “World Above Your Feet” program, where visitors of all ages will learn how to spot the beauty and habits of animals, trees, migratory birds and more.

“We’re open to the public now, but we’re adding more features to make it even more cool. The official celebration is July 17th, with free gelato and fun giveaways. and the $1 tickets will help fund our free education programs,” explains Heckrodt development director Chris Langenfeld, who recently created this virtual tour to thank donors:

The project was completely donor funded. Community Foundation helped convene opportunities for contributors to fund the $180,000 outdoor learning area, which will include a log slide, rope tunnel, huge eagle’s nest that kids can help build, and a treetop platform large enough for an entire class to learn. Future donations to the Children’s Canopy Walk education programs will be used to support inspiring activities designed around the wondrous opportunities at the site.

The project was able to start thanks to grants from the Doug and Carla Salmon Foundation Inc., the Bright Idea Fund, William M. and Sandra M. Rogers Charitable Fund, Sawyer Family Fund, Addis Hilliker Charitable Fund, David H. and Suzanne J. Peck Family Fund and an anonymous fund, all within the Community Foundation. However the revenue from the educational programs at Heckrodt stopped in mid March due to the coronavirus crisis.

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