CDC's nature habitat named best in Florida

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Joe McFadden
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  The Florida Wildlife Federation recently named the Hurlburt Field Child Development Center's nature habitat as the winner of their second annual Kid's Habitat Contest.

The program recognizes schoolyard environments maintained by children for excellence in establishing and maintaining a habitat for the study and preservation of Florida's wildlife.

"FWF believes that it is important that very young children be given the opportunity to learn to enjoy the outdoors," representatives said in an announcement on their website. "Many studies have shown that today's children spend far too much time indoors on computers or watching television, which is believed to cause many health and development problems. Hurlburt Field CDC students are well on their way to learning to avoid those problems."

More than 50 children, teachers and parents gathered at the CDC's Nature Explore outdoor classroom April 22 as Glenn Griffith, FWF board member, presented a plaque for their achievement. In addition to the plaque, Mr. Griffith presented a teddy bear complete with a shovel and two environmentally-themed children's books for the CDC's collection.

"You guys did a really great job here," Mr. Griffith said to the children. "And of the many habitats the Federation viewed, you did the best because of all the hard work you put out there."

Mr. Griffith toured the habitat adjacent to the outdoor classroom to see the progress the children made with the facility including their greenhouse with a bulb garden, a monarch butterfly station, bird feeders, wildflower patches and a honeysuckle gate.

This facility just blows me away, and if I was in the Air Force and had kids, I would feel really good about having them come here," Mr. Griffith said.

Meggie O'Brien, outdoor playground coordinator, describes seeing the children's reactions as her favorite part of the habitat.

"I love seeing the kids explore the environment and going 'Whoa, I never knew this was here!'" Meggie said. "When they walk into it for the first time, it's like a big surprise and they didn't know it existed when they walk in with so many buildings around us. It's great to see the kids' enthusiasm about nature and the outdoors. And for them to receive an award for their interest and hard work is just as wonderful."

For more information about the Kid's Wildlife Habitat Program, visit the FWF's website at www.fwfonline.org/campaigns/stewardship/kidswilfelifehabitat.htm.