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By Jamie Karras
Once on the trail, you pause for a moment take a deep breath, the crisp, cool air filling your lungs. The distinct sound of the river is heard over the sound of passing cars on the nearby road. Tall blades of grass poke through the patches of snow along the rocky trail. As you stroll along you notice the white frosted pine trees that draw your eyes upward to the towering cliffs that keep the sun from warming the ground below. At the end of the trail a quaint little building sits. It's a home to animals, insects, and fossils, but most of all to an atmosphere where teaching of the natural world is a fundamental aspect. The Stokes Nature Center celebrated its sixth anniversary Saturday with activities for all ages. Little naturalists were intrigued with talk of weather, reptiles, amphibians and insects, and entertained with nature games, hikes and crafts. "Providing opportunities for students of all ages, to explore, learn about, and develop appreciation and stewardship for our natural world" is what the Center aims to do, according to The Dipper, its monthly newsletter. "Get away from a rigid program; allow things to develop spontaneously; that's the most effective way to teach in nature," a pamplet quoted the late Allen Stokes, founder of the Nature Center, as saying. Janna Custer, executive director of the Nature Center, deems Stokes and his wife, Alice, as incredible educators who have contributed a lot to the community's understanding and appreciation of the natural world. The Center, once the American Legion Lodge, is open year round with frequent organized activities dotting the calendar. Peak times are in the late spring and summer, Custer said, with winter programs relocated to schools throughout the valley. Beyond school programs, the Center also offers summer youth programs, family and community programs, Custer said, which have included Predator Ecology, Winter Safety Series, Tales and Trails, Aquatic Insects, and Geology of Logan Canyon; and a volunteer naturalist program, which provides training and teaching experience. The Center, Custer said, is continually growing. It now has about 200 members. "Student fees cover only a fraction of the cost to provide hands-on nature education. Our programs are funded directly by contributions from individuals and foundation with a passion for education, youth and the natural world," according to the membership pamphlet. Member benefits include a one-year subscription to the Center's newsletter, discount to most programs, and free admission or merchandise discounts at participating nature centers nationwide, according to the membership pamphlet. "Helping support a great organization," Custer said, however, is the number one benefit of membership. The Nature Center is open to the whole community, Custer said. The public is welcome to come and browse from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday and from noon to 4 p.m. Thursday, as well as from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the second and fourth Saturday of each month, or during scheduled events. Upcoming events include solstice party with holiday decorating for kids, avalanche awareness, a snowflake version of Tales for Trails, a winter safety workshop and a family snowshoe adventure. Dates and times can be found on the Center's Web site, www.logannature.org.
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