In 2003 members of the Erie Branch of AAUW recognized the need and benefit to having outdoor educational opportunities for students visiting TREC. Moving forward to address this need, AAUW donated $5,000 toward the construction of an educational outdoor amphitheater at TREC. And today, this project after careful consideration has evolved into an outdoor educational pavilion. The pavilion kit was purchased with state funds in 2009 and we are currently seeking to raise the funds needed for the installation of the AAUW Educational Pavilion.

 

To be located on the eastside of TREC, the design of the pavilion will accommodate many uses including education, special events, and picnicking.  Click here for the proposed pavilion design with a cupola on top and a storage shed on the side. This space will see its primary use during the spring school season, when TREC routinely hosts over 2,000 K-12 students. 

 

The addition of this outdoor classroom environment adds another layer onto the programming capacity at TREC with the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the numerous environmental organizations in residence at TREC. For example, a group such as Audubon could have displays or live exhibits there for their Hawk Watch. Families and groups can bring their own picnic and eat outside under the pavilion.

 

The pavilion will help support the opportunity for students to learn from all aspects of TREC…inside and out. Your donation can help bring this dream to a reality.