THONOTOSASSA - Nature's Classroom, providing hands-on environmental education to sixth-grade students in Hillsborough County, opens its gates to the public for an open house one day each year.
This year, the event is Saturday, April 28, and it's an occasion for special celebration: Kendall, a black bear who now is a permanent resident of Nature's Classroom, turns 20.
Money raised during the "Woods, Water and Wildlife" open house will help pay costs including the care and feeding of Kendall and some 80 other animals who live at Nature's Classroom, said Chris Rusnak, who has taught at the school for 15 years.
"We provide a safe haven for them, and our students benefit by getting to know these animals," he said.
It costs about 50 for medication, and up to 8,000 in past years, Rusnak said.
Nature's Classroom is a sprawling, wooded site on the eastern bank of the Hillsborough River at 13100 Verges Road off Morris Bridge Road, provided by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and operated by the Hillsborough school district. It opened in 1969.
Those who attend the open house will get a look at the science lessons Nature's Classroom teaches. Hillsborough students visit the site for a three-day field trip during sixth grade.
The open house 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday will feature children's activities, scenic guided hikes, river tours and shoreline-sampling to examine creatures in the river.
Food, refreshments, and a raffle also will be offered.
A 2 each.