Biophilia Center says " Thanks" for the offer but "No Thanks"

Bob Hudson Bob Hudson avatar

Bob HudsonBeach FanaticSanta Rosa Beach1,066 postsJoined May 10, '08View profile MessageBeach Fanatic

Mar 14, '13 · 4:00 PM9,704

Email sent today

Dear Walton County Board of Commissioners and Tourist Development Council

Thank you all for your support over the past (almost) two years at the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center (501c3 registered name as Nokuse Education, Inc.). Your willingness to renew the present agreement between the Tourist Development Council and the Center is greatly appreciated, however, in view of budget restraints and increased demands, we must respectfully decline. You have our most sincere gratitude for your past support and our best wishes.

Sincerely,

Christy Scally

We are a 501(c)3 and rely on donations to focus on environmental education. Won't you join us? Christina Scally E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center Director

Replies

meggiemommeggiemomBeach LoverWalton222 postsJoined Jun 24, '12View profile MessageBeach Lover

Apr 7, '13 · 6:37 AM#52

Are 50,000 acres of tax exempt, privately owned land really needed for such an "educational" facility?

IMO, No.

sunspotbaby sunspotbaby avatar

sunspotbabySoWal InsiderSanta Rosa Beach5,000 postsJoined Mar 31, '06View profile MessageSoWal Insider

Apr 7, '13 · 1:05 PM#53

My opinion is that it's none of our business what a person decides to do with their fortune. This property owner would gladly own 50,000 acres of land and gladly donate a portion for conservation and/or education in my community. I guess some would rather see golf course communities with obnoxiously huge overpriced homes sitting on that land. I would rather drive through forest land and admire the beauty of nature as it is. He could've developed the property and amassed a larger fortune for that, but he didn't. I am thankful.

meggiemommeggiemomBeach LoverWalton222 postsJoined Jun 24, '12View profile MessageBeach Lover

Apr 13, '13 · 5:17 AM#54

The Front page of the Daily News made it look like the center had more visitors than it could handle. There seems to be a lot of confusion and conflicting information about this place.

Sally

SallyBeach Fanatic654 postsJoined Feb 19, '05View profile MessageBeach Fanatic

Aug 7, '23 · 4:49 PM#55

E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center | Learn, Engage, Protect Today

Explore the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center’s programs, preserves, and events dedicated to biodiversity education, sustainability, and ecosystem protection.

www.eowilsoncenter.org

The E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center is an environmental education facility serving 4th and 7th grade students, teachers and professional audiences during the school year. The Center is nestled in the Longleaf Pine ecosystem, which is considered the 6th most biodiverse area in the continental U.S. and less than 2% of it remains intact today. As such, it is the perfect place to educate students on the importance of biodiversity and to encourage conservation, preservation and restoration.

Walton County conservationist and resident M.C. Davis, on his 53,000 acre conservation preserve (Nokuse), developed the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center in 2009. The Center is named after and dedicated to world renowned scientist Dr. Edward O. Wilson, who has made his life-long mission to educate the public about the importance of conserving the world’s biodiversity. Dr. Wilson developed the term “biophilia” which literally means “the love of all living things”.

Students who visit the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center learn about the natural environment through interpretive exhibits as well as an extensive trail system through natural areas on Nokuse Plantation. The Center offers a two or four day program, with curriculum that coincides with Florida’s education standards. While promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathmatics (STEM) subjects, students are provided opportunities for inquiry, investigation and innovation by gaining a better understanding and knowledge of their surroundings.

The Walton County School District considers our facility to be an extension of their classroom as we are their science education project-based learning facility, the place where schooling becomes applicable. Each year, the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center educates 5,200 students in a 5 county area and averages more than 100 students every school day. In addition, we are open to the general public on select days, providing a variety of environmental presentations.