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"It’s
something we take for granted today," he said, adding that
"almost 10 percent of the fresh water that flows in this country
flows through Alabama."
"We’ve
been debating with Atlanta for years on how much water they can take
from our rivers," Richardson said. "If this country is to
remain economically strong, science will play an important role."
As
an educator, Richardson said a key to helping the country maintain its
strong economy is to teach youngsters at an early age about the
importance of science.
"A
center like this will help to do just that, especially for those who do
not grow up in rural areas," said Richardson, a native of Pike
County. "It will enable children to learn to see the relationships
between clean water, air and wildlife. It has so much promise for the
future and economic development of our state."
Others
on the program included Opp attorney and 4-H Foundation member Wesley
Laird, who served as emcee; Thomas Elliott, secretary-treasurer of the
4-H Club Foundation; Willard Bowers, vice president of environmental
affairs for Alabama Power Co.; Mike Kilgore, executive director of the
Alabama Farmers Federation and Lamar Nichols, assistant director of the
Alabama Cooperative Extension System.
The
Environmental Science Education Center will include 17,500 square feet
of interior space covering two floors and will be constructed of stone,
concrete, wood, glass and steel.
A
highlight of the new building will be a 1,050 square foot observation
deck. It will be nestled in the treetops and will be accessible from the
main floor.
There
will also be two large laboratory classrooms to support the 4-H Center’s
Environmental Field School along with a shared lab prep area.
The
two laboratories will have direct access to the outdoors so children can
explore outside and come inside to rooms filled with technical and
audiovisual support. Muddy feet won’t be a problem, either, because of
the way the rooms are to be constructed.
The
new building will also have a large multifunction room that can
accommodate 350 people as well as three seminar rooms that can be used
for classes, meetings and conferences.
Another
unique feature will allow the collection of rainwater from the roof in a
cistern. It will then be used for the toilets throughout the building as
well as for the fire protection sprinkler system.
Visual
displays will include lake and land habitats. They will be situated in
the corridors and lobby next to the lab areas.
The
facility is being built with funds raised by the Campaign for Alabama
4-H through the Alabama 4-H Club Foundation, Inc. More than 500
corporations, foundations, organizations and individuals have supported
the campaign, chipping in nearly $6 million. The campaign also supports
4-H programs statewide.
During
his remarks, Smith noted that the 4-H program continues to be important
in Alabama—far beyond the four words that represent the organization.
"We
all know about ‘Head, Heart, Hand and Health,’ but much more goes
into 4-H," he said. "It is a ‘learn by doing’ experience,
a hands-on experience. We try to have a wide variety of programs."
No
one in the audience prior to the groundbreaking could agree more with
Smith than Andrew Brymer, who is Alabama’s 4-H President.
At
the age of 17, Brymer has not grown up in a rural setting, but he
didn’t hesitate when the opportunity presented itself for him to join
4-H.
"It’s
helped me to become a better person," said Brymer, Jefferson
Countian who spoke at the event. "I wanted to see what it was like
and I couldn’t have been happier."
Brymer
said 4-H has helped him improve his communication skills, especially
when it came to public speaking. He said he is also involved in a
variety of other 4-H projects.
For
nearly a century, 4-H has been helping to shape the lives of young
Alabamians, teaching skills in leadership, citizenship and how to cope
with life’s pressures.
The
largest youth development organization in Alabama, 4-H has nearly
100,000 members who participate in a variety of programs, projects and
statewide events.
The
Alabama Cooperative Extension System oversees the 4-H program. Auburn
and Alabama A&M University work closely together to make sure it is
a success.
Alvin
Benn is a freelance writer from Selma. |
