Photo: Shaw Woods Outdoor Education Centre - facebook.com/ShawWoodsOEC
Shaw Woods Outdoor Education Centre has received funding to re-launch programs. Director Steve Boland tells myFM they recently received a community building grant of $48,300.
The grant will help with the development of online learning tools and an education outreach program to enable a virtual experience fostering responsible stewardship.
Funding will also be used to install signage at key locations with respect to physical distancing and health and safety requirements and enhanced cleaning and hand-sanitizer stations at restrooms to meet public health requirements.
Boland says at Shaw Woods you can explore a wide variety of old growth trails that have never been logged, walk around Shaws Pond and check out what’s referred to as “Johnny’s Lookout”, a cliff that overlooks the pond.
Boland tells myFM anytime of year is good to visit Shaw Woods. He adds it’s very busy in the fall with people watching the leaves, but spring is a beautiful time to visit and right now is just about perfect because the mosquitoes and blackflies aren’t out yet.
The Director at Shaw Woods says they are very appreciative of the support from the province for the grant. Boland says Shaw Woods is free to enjoy, but adds they do accept donations. You can follow Shaw Woods on Facebook, Twitter or check out their website to experience a self-directed enhanced learning opportunity.
Renfrew–Nipissing–Pembroke MPP John Yakabuski says this investment by the Ontario Trillium Foundation Community Building Fund will enable Shaw Woods to continue to deliver experiences, and programs for Ontarians by developing online programming, procuring personal protective equipment and supporting staffing and general operating expenses.
Fred Blackstein, the Co-Chair at Shaw Woods Outdoor Education Centre, says this grant will allow Shaw Woods to re-launch programs which meet our mission of fostering responsible environmental stewardship through experiential outdoor education by providing educational programming and self-directed learning to educational groups, community organizations and the public at large in Renfrew County.
(written by: Rudy Kadlec)
