KSU Receives Kentucky Heritage Land Stewardship Award
Oct 7th, 09
Kentucky State University's Environmental Education Center in Henry County has been given the Heritage Land Stewardship Award from Gov. Steve Beshear.
Frankfort, KY - Kentucky State University received the Heritage Land Stewardship Award Sept. 30 from Gov. Steve Beshear and members of the Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund Board for the work it does at its Environmental Education Center in Henry County. The awards ceremony was part of the 2009 Governor's Conference on the Environment at the Lexington Convention Center.
"This award reaffirms all of the wonderful things that we are doing at our Environmental Education Center and in the community to prepare the next generation to respect the earth," said President Mary Evans Sias. "Since we purchased the land in 2006, we have made many improvements to ensure that more people are able to access the beauty and educational opportunities available at our Environmental Education Center, and we are glad that the state appreciates it."
The 300-acre space now offers handicapped-accessible trails and audio learning stations as well as opportunities for youths and schools from across the state to learn hands-on about ecology and environmental science.
In addition to the award, the university received a framed print of the "Kentucky Warbler" taken by W.H. Brown, a member of the Heritage Land Conservation Fund Board.
Accepting the award Sept. 30 were (left to right) Gae Broadwater, state specialist for community resources development, Dr. James P. Chapman, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs, Dr. Tamara Sluss, assistant professor of biology and adviser of the Green Society environmental club, Dr. James Tidwell, chair of the Division of Aquaculture, Dr. Mary Evans Sias, Dr. Charles Bennett, dean of the College of Mathematics, Science, Technology and Health, Dr. Kimberly Holmes, associate director of the Land Grant Program, and Wes Stilwell, manager of the Environmental Education Center.