El Paso County proclaims 50th anniversary for Bear Creek Nature Center

The El Paso County Board of County Commissioners adopted a proclamation recognizing the 50th anniversary of Bear Creek Nature Center and encouraged residents to participate in anniversary events planned for Aug. 22. The board approved the proclamation unanimously after commissioners and Nature Center advocates described the facility’s history and community role.

Risa Foster Bridal, president of the Friends of El Paso County Nature Centers, thanked the board and recounted her experience becoming a docent after the center reopened in 2002. ‘‘Through the many community partnerships and the continued support of El Paso County, we look forward to the next 50 years of connecting people to the outdoors and helping them to become stewards,’’ Bridal said. Mary Jo Lewis, supervisor of Bear Creek Nature Center, said the center served nearly 18,000 visitors and more than 16,000 program participants last year and highlighted volunteer support: ‘‘Last year 300 volunteers worked with us to serve nearly 18,000 visitors and more than 16,000 program participants.’’

Commissioners praised the center’s accessibility programs, including TrailAbility and the Visually Impaired Persons Trail, and asked county staff for participation and attendance data. Teresa O’Dello, division manager for recreation and cultural services, said last year over 7,000 students came from schools and that this year the department began tracking participation from Title I schools. The proclamation was moved and seconded and passed on a 5–0 roll call; the board paused for photographs following the vote.