Take learning outdoors at the Environmental Education Center

All Dallas ISD staff and their families are invited to learn more about the programs and resources available at the Environmental Education Center, Science Resource Center and Living Materials Center during the center’s open house on Saturday, Oct. 29. 

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., staff can head out to 1600 Bowers Road in Seagoville to walk the nature trails at Post Oak Preserve, pet animals in the center’s barn and tour the 26,000-square-foot museum that models a forest habitat, a grassland habitat and a freshwater pond habitat. Visitors can also enjoy the nature play area or take a stroll through the garden to check out the developing watermelon tunnel.

“A lot of our students and staff live in Dallas, which is an urban setting, so many of them have never been on a hike in a forest or visited a farm,” STEM Director Mark Broughton said. “This is a chance for them to experience something they’ve never experienced before. I’ve also had teachers visit, and say, ‘I’ve come out here every year for five years, and I never knew this was out here,’ so there is always something new to explore.” 

Other highlights of the open house include a fish fry, hay rides, additional walking trails and opportunities to learn about the field investigations students experience when they visit and how to access free science equipment and living specimens. 

Broughton is encouraging all staff and their family members to take advantage of the free open house and get to know all of the incredible resources available to educate and inspire the approximately 25,000 students who visit the center each year. Just remember to wear comfortable shoes and bring sunscreen and bug repellent if you are planning on hiking. 

To RSVP for the event, visit www.tiny.cc/eecopenhouse2022. For more information, call 972-749-6900 or email eec@dallasisd.org.