Red Rocks Elementary School Announces Environmental Education Initiative

Imagine a rambunctious 10-year-old student trying unsuccessfully to concentrate as his teacher lectures from the front of the classroom about the importance of ecosystems to our environment. Zzzzzzzzz. Now imagine that same 10-year-old hiking with his teacher and classmates on a nature trail to investigate the ecosystems that make-up the landscape behind their school!

Red Rocks Elementary School announces the groundbreaking of their environmental education initiative - Project PRIDE which will provide a nature-based academic environment, dedicated to grades K-6 in Morrison, Colorado. Project PRIDE will encompasses an outdoor educational curriculum and facilities that provide hands-on learning opportunities with the foundation to Protect, Renew, Integrate, and Discover your Environment.

Red Rocks Elementary School's location boasts unique geology, multiple ecosystems, wild life and native plant habitats that will be integrated into the school's curriculum. This venture will provide an atmosphere that encourages children to take pride in the natural environment that surrounds them and teaches them to respect the earth's natural resources by reducing product use, reusing, and recycling. Red Rocks Elementary School is located 17199 Hwy. 74 in Morrison.

Project PRIDE is a collaboration of students, parents, teachers, administrators and the community to introduce environmental stewardship and understanding to the students of Red Rocks, and to aid teachers in creating an exciting learning environment for the children. Funding for the project has come in the form of monetary and in-kind donations from Aggregate Industries, Whole Foods Market Belmar, the Red Rocks PTA and Student Council, and from individual donations. For more information about the school or Project PRIDE, please contact Wanda Hamilton at 303-982-3114.

Project PRIDE is partnering with Mile High Youth Corps (MHYC) to construct the crusher fine nature trail that will connect eight learning stations throughout the outdoor classroom. MHYC is a local nonprofit organization that teaches young adults job skills by putting them to work on service projects that benefit the community. A crew of 10 MHYC youth ages 16-24 are scheduled to work on the trail until July 10 th. In addition to the hands-on work on the trail, the MHYC Corpsmembers will participate in environmental education and leadership development activities each week.

Mile High Youth Corps provides young adults with comprehensive services to help them develop technical job skills, prepare for the workforce and achieve their educational goals through paid work experience. For more information go to www.milehighyouthcorps.org or call 303.433.1206 (opt. 1, x324).