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Page 1 of 2 Ogden City Council Work Session: September 5, 2017 OGDEN NATURE CENTER PurposeofWork Session: To Receive the Annual Report from the Ogden Nature Center Executive Summary Mary McKinley, the Director of the Ogden Nature Center, will present the Center’s annual report to the City Council. Background September 24, 2013 The Council adopted Resolution 2013-23 authorizing a 50-year lease agreement with Ogden Nature Center. The lease will expire on December 31, 2062. Ogden Nature Center The Ogden Nature Center (ONC) has set a mission is to unite people with nature and nurture appreciation and stewardship of the environment. Since it was founded in 1975 as Utah's first nature center, the ONC has provided a place where people can go to enjoy and learn about the natural world. The 152-acre preserve provides a foundation for education opportunities. Each year the Ogden Nature Center brings more than 50,000 children, teachers, and adults together with nature through hands-on field classes. Participants observe and learn about plants and animals up-close, discovering the pleasure of being in nature and realizing their own connection to the environment. ONC is open to the public for discovery and exploration. Visitors enjoy meeting birds of prey, snakes, tortoises, salamanders and other native animal species. Outside there are picnic areas, treehouses, bird blinds, a spotting tower and 1.5 miles of walking trails. ONC boasts two of Utah's greenest buildings, with hands-on nature exhibits and a unique gift store. ONC also offers a wide variety of community programs for all ages including art, photography, birding, wildlife in Utah, outdoor recreation, ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 2 of 2 Ogden City Council Work Session: September 5, 2017 conservation, sustainable practices and more. During the summer, week- long nature camps are taught by teams of naturalists. Several community events are held each year including an Earth Day Celebration and Creatures of the Night at Halloween. Proposal The City Council has requested that a presentation and annual overview be provided by the Ogden Nature Center. Executive Director Mary McKinley will be in attendance to make the presentation. Council Staff Contact: Janene Eller-Smith, (801)629-8165