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In 1994, the University of
Hartford, faculty, administrators, staff, and Middle School students from
Hartford were all present for the unveiling of the Urban Nature
Initiative. The land which the University set aside for this program is
located on 2 acres of land on the North Branch of the Park River, and is
intended to provide outdoor environmental education to inner city school
children.ed a role in the alternative education.
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The director
of the program, Professor Renwick Griswald says "The idea is if we
don't give urban children the chance to learn about what is outside their
door, the children often become hostile toward nature." The land that
is dedicated solely to the Urban Nature Initiative makes an ideal
classroom for many urban school children from the Universities Educational
Main Street, Annie Fisher School, Fox Middle School, and most recently,
the Girl Scots with Saturday Science Sampler, who all utilize the
facility. The teachers of these schools and programs bring their children
to the outdoor classroom with curriculum eared toward the environment.
Some days they are testing water, and others they are learning about the
different birds that reside in the trees of their classroom. No matter
what the children are learning, they are happy to be part of such a
wonderful experience, and the University is happy to have play.
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