Gila Conservation Education Center
Promoting conservation in Southwest New Mexico through education, example and involvement
The Gila Conservation Education Center (GCEC)
Mission: To promote conservation in South Western New Mexico through education, example, and involvement.
About Us: Gila Conservation Education Center (GCEC) is a non-profit organization based in Silver City, New Mexico. As a coalition of conservation groups, government agencies, businesses, schools, and community members, GCEC is dedicated to creating a community that understands, appreciates, and participates in natural resource conservation in South Western New Mexico. Among GCEC's supporters are Silver and Cobre Consolidated Schools, the USDA Forest Service, project grants, small donations, and many other agencies, groups, schools, and individuals.
Goals:
• Establish an institution with leadership responsibility and accountability for conservation education in our community.
• Mobilize resources to enhance conservation education programs in K-12.
• Create opportunities for community members and visitors to participate in conservation education, habitat restoration and maintenance.
• Develop long-term research investigations that would involve a wide range of students, scholars, teachers, and volunteers.
Conservation education is the first step toward ensuring that our natural resources are, in the words of Theodore Roosevelt, “turn[ed] over to the next generation increased and not impaired in value.” Click to find out more about us.>>
Resources for Educators
The Gila ecosystem is our greatest resource—an outdoor classroom and science laboratory filled with learning opportunities. Explore our area through educational trunks, presentations, field trips, locally-based conservation lesson plans, and other hands-on activities, all tied to New Mexico state teaching standards. Also, find out more about partnering organizations. Click for more.>>
Events
Conservation activities are going on throughout the year. The Gila Conservation Education Center coordinates numerous presentations for youth and adults participants in many community and government-sponsored projects. Click to check out some of the events, and find out how you can participate.>>
Get Involved or Donate
Make a tax-deductible donation to GCEC or find out how else you can help with conservation education in Southwest New Mexico. Click for more.>>
Annual Report
Click to download GCEC's 2007-2008 Annual Report (5 Mb).>>
Contact Us
Gila Conservation Education Center
c/o 3005 E. Camino del Bosque, Silver City, NM 88061
Phone 575-388-8265
Fax 575-388-8204
Email email@gcecnm.org
Mac Users!
The above menu bar (Home, Events, etc.) may not function properly due to Microsoft Publisher-Macintosh browser incompatiblity. Navigate via hot links within the text of this page. We apologize for any inconvenience.
GCEC News
San Vicente Creek-Side Classroom
GCEC has spearheaded the establishment of an outdoor classroom along San Vicente Creek near downtown Silver City. The project is underwritten by a U.S. EPA education grant. GCEC is also participating in a much larger wetlands restoration project for the creek and surrounding area beginning in Spring 2009.
Bataan Memorial Outdoor Classroom
GCEC is establishing an outdoor classroom at the Bataan Memorial Recreation Park near Ft. Bayard. This project will serve the Cobre School district for outdoor education.
The future site of the Bataan Memorial Outdoor Classroom!
Waterworks Building
Historic photo of the Waterworks Building, Silver City
The Town of Silver City has partnered with GCEC for the preservation of the historic Waterworks Building. The Phase 1 planning assessment was recently been completed through Preserve America funding by the University of New Mexico School of Architecture and Planning. The building is envisioned as a future home for GCEC. Click to download the Master Plan Study (9 Mb)*
* “This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Interior.”
A Kid's Conservation page will be added to the website as a resources for students and teachers. Included will be links to conservation games, research reference sites, and curriculum for teachers.
Cobre Consolidated elementary students investigating seed dispersion, Spring 2008.
Schedule
GCEC Office Hours for the 2009-2010 School Year :
9:00 a.m-4:00 p.m, M-F
Upcoming events:
Cowboy Days- June 5th 9 am to 4 pm
The New Mexico Solar Energy Association and GCEC will have a booth at Gough Park to raise awareness about solar energy.
Youth Volunteer Corps- July 19-22 9 am to Noon
Get outside and know your native plants and local ecosystem at the Bataan Memorial Park and help Penny Park at the same time. The Youth Volunteer Corps is for youth ages 11 to 18. For more information or to sign up contact The Wellness Coaltion at 534-0665