Greeley
Bond Outdoor Classroom opens at Poudre Learning Center
The K-12 space honors zoologist Dick Bond, whom the center credits with advancing education and natural-resource protection for more than 50 years. Local artist Betony Coons painted a mural depicting Northern Colorado’s natural history and watershed.
The opening of the Bond Outdoor Classroom was celebrated at the Poudre Learning Center on a fall evening.
The outdoor K-12 classroom is named for Dr. Richard “Dick” Bond, a zoologist. Bond’s passion and leadership helped advance education and protect natural resources for more than 50 years in Greeley and throughout Colorado’s Northern Front Range, the Poudre Learning Center said. Bond and the Bond family have been steadfast friends and generous supporters of the center since its earliest days.
Part of the D6 education system, the center supports K-12 schools across Northern Colorado with programs that connect students to the outdoors and inspire them to take action and care for the environment as future leaders, the Poudre Learning Center said. Its programs and curriculum align with Colorado Academic Standards.
Donations, sponsorships, grant funding and the passion of educators and naturalists made the outdoor classroom possible, the center said. Those educators and naturalists included former PLC director Ray Tschillard and former restoration manager Larry Rogstad. Local company Fisher Landscaping Inc. laid the foundation for the classroom, and local artist Betony Coons painted a mural representing Northern Colorado’s natural history and watershed.