GENTRY - Development of an education center on city-owned land along Flint Creek took a major step forward this summer, thanks to Jodye Poole and a summer internship project funded through the Arkansas State Department of Education.

As a part of her project, Poole is developing lesson plans which can be used as a part of a school’s K-12 science curriculum so that teachers from area schools, public or private, can take students to the nature area and have prepared lesson plans which include such topics as tree and plant identification and aquatic habitat.

The city received an $80,340 grant from the Arkansas Department of Rural Services through its Wildlife Recreation Facilities Grant program to repair and clean out the existing ponds to make them suitable for fish habitat and fishing. Walking trails and parking are also planned for the Flint Creek natural area.

Work on the ponds is expected to begin once engineering studies are complete.

News, Pages 3 on 07/10/2013