Woodbury Nature Center Receives $1 Million For Facilities

WOODBURY, CT — Flanders Nature Center will receive $1 million in state funding for facility improvements, including the construction of a new agricultural education pavilion and renovations to its early childhood education facilities.

The funding was approved by the Connecticut State Bond Commission, according to an announcement from state Sen. Joan Hartley, D-Waterbury.

The new Agricultural Education Pavilion will provide space for programs focused on farming, food production and land stewardship. The project is intended to expand educational opportunities for children and community members.

The funding also will support code compliance renovations to the buildings that house Flanders' early childhood education programs. The upgrades are aimed at meeting current safety and accessibility standards.

"Flanders Nature Center is a treasure for Woodbury and for the entire region," Hartley said in a statement. "It has opened children's eyes to the natural world and provides hands-on learning experiences that simply cannot be replicated in a classroom. This investment will ensure that Flanders can continue and expand that vital work for years to come, and that its youngest learners have a safe, modern facility where they can thrive."

Flanders Nature Center serves the greater Woodbury area through environmental education programs and land conservation efforts. Its early childhood programs introduce young children to nature and environmental learning.

Support for the project came from community leaders, including board members from Waterbury and Middlebury, according to the announcement.

Waterbury Public Schools students have participated in programs at Flanders, which provide environmental and agricultural learning experiences outside the classroom.