[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 106 (Thursday, September 9, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S9029]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  GREEN MOUNTAIN AUDUBON NATURE CENTER

 Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, this Saturday, the Green Mountain 
Audubon Nature Center in Huntington, VT will celebrate its 40th 
anniversary.
  In 1964, Mrs. Christine Hires of Philadelphia, offered the 150-acre 
Vermont farm she had owned since 1940, to the newly formed Green 
Mountain Audubon Society. Mrs. Hires' dream was to keep the land open 
to visitors and in its natural condition. An open house was held on 
September 19 and 20 of that year. The Green Mountain Audubon Nature 
Center was established.
  Since 1964, the center has grown to 255 acres of varied habitat 
including hardwood forest, cedar swamp, beaver pond, meadows, pristine 
stream and river edge. The original farmhouse and barn are currently 
used as office and program space for Audubon Vermont. The center also 
includes a sugar house, the ``Clubhouse'' for summer camps and programs 
and a full-scale replica of an Abenaki longhouse.
  Annually, nearly 15,000 visitors enjoy the nature trails, bird and 
other wildlife watching as well as a variety of environmental education 
programs the center is known for. Some 4,500 children and adults take 
part in educational programs led by Audubon teacher-naturalists each 
year.
  I want to congratulate Green Mountain Audubon on 40 years of bringing 
people closer to nature through environmental education, natural 
resources stewardship, its citizen science efforts and, of course, 
sound conservation advocacy. This weekend's celebration will honor the 
oldest operating nature center in Vermont and the many individuals who 
have contributed to its success. Well done.

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