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Highlands Today

Archbold adding $4 million education center

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By GARY PINNELL

Highlands Today

Published: November 30, 2009

VENUS - Archbold Biological Station announced plans recently to build a $4.3 million visitor's center, an interpretive center and a 14-room lodge.

Executive Director Hilary Swain said construction will begin in 2010 on a "green" building which will reduce energy consumption, water use and carbon.

Archbold is a not-for-profit southwest of Lake Placid. It was started in 1941 by Richard Archbold to further ecological research, education and conservation. Today, the station owns and manages 8,840 acres of Florida scrub which includes 19 federal listed species.

Summer camps annually teach 2,000 K-12 students, plus undergraduate and graduate students in ecology. Volunteer training, citizen scientist programs, guided tours, seminars and nature trails are also hosted.

The 8,200-square-foot Adrian Archbold Center, named for Richard's brother, will meet the increasing educational demands of the station. Guests can stay in the 7,800-square-foot lodge.

Archbold has already raised $3 million for construction, Swain said, including $2.5 million from the Adrian and Jessie Archbold Charitable Trust, $300,000 from the National Science Foundation, $100,000 from the Kruse Foundation, and $102,000 from private donations.

An additional $1.215 million is being sought from Southwest Florida Water Management District, South Florida Water Management District, and private foundations.

Highlands Today reporter Gary Pinnell can be reached at gpinnell@highlandstoday.com or 863-386-5828

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