Expanding Access to Wildlife Education for Local Youth
The Wildlife Center of the North Coast is thrilled to announce a major step forward in making wildlife education in Oregon more accessible. Thanks to a generous donation, WCNC has added a brand-new 15-passenger van that will bring more kids to its Junior Naturalists Summer Camp and other hands-on wildlife learning programs.
Transportation has often been a barrier for families and schools wanting to visit WCNC, located about nine miles outside of Astoria. With the new van, students from across Clatsop County can now easily attend wildlife education programs for kids, explore native habitats, and meet WCNC’s ambassador animals up close.
Hitting the Road for Classroom Learning
The van will play a key role in WCNC’s summer camps and youth programs, giving children the chance to learn about local wildlife, discover native plants, and explore careers in wildlife rehabilitation and conservation.
“This incredibly generous donation removes one of the biggest obstacles for families attending our summer camp,” says Executive Director Kari Henningsgaard. “Now, children from across Clatsop County will have greater access to our programs and the chance to safely experience wildlife up close. We are so grateful to the donor and community members that helped us reach this incredible milestone.”
Bringing Wildlife Education Within Reach
The van will also support WCNC’s wildlife outreach programs, bringing education directly into schools. Last year, a pilot program featured Cormie, WCNC’s Double-crested Cormorant ambassador, visiting fourth grade classrooms at Lewis and Clark Elementary School. Students got a rare chance to meet a native seabird in person and learn about the North Oregon Coast ecosystem.
With the van, WCNC hopes to expand these school trips in Oregon to more classrooms in the coming year, inspiring curiosity and compassion for wildlife among even more children.
Get Involved
Teachers, youth groups, and community organizations interested in booking a wildlife education program or field trip with WCNC can email education@coastwildlife.org to learn more.
Thanks to the support of generous donors and community members, the Wildlife Center of the North Coast continues to provide hands-on wildlife education for kids across the North Oregon Coast, fostering a love of nature and stewardship for local wildlife.
