A VISION: A NEW CLASSROOM AT THE CENTER
It has long been apparent that the current exhibit hall lacks adequate space for student groups, tourists and meetings larger than a few people. With over 6,800 people visiting the National Bighorn Sheep Center in 2019 alone, among them over 952 students, 344 adults through Road Scholars bus tours and many other special group visits, we have struggled keeping up with the growing demand of our small space for these special groups alongside our daily visitors.
We envision a Bighorn Classroom where students, families, and visitors of all ages learn about Bighorn Sheep and are inspired to care for wildlife and their habitat. If we are to reach out to and attract a wider audience, we need a spacious, welcoming area conducive to teaching and learning with ample room for traveling exhibits and workshop activities. The Classroom will give us space to accommodate our growing class and bus tours through educational programs and multimedia curricula. One of our educational objectives is to reach every fourth-grade class in Wyoming with a state-approved curriculum about bighorn sheep. We believe our children, as future leaders and conservationists, will make better decisions when they understand and appreciate firsthand our wildlife and valuable natural resources here in Wyoming. This new 1,900 square foot space will welcome educational programs as well as special events for students and local and international visitors. This simple multi-functional space will enable all visitors to have a richer experience and allow the NBSC to advance our mission more effectively.
The risks to wild sheep populations across North America have never been greater. Diseases and habitat loss have created tragic population declines. The NBSC is committed to educating and inspiring young and old to conserve bighorn sheep–the wildlife and habitat–for future generations. To carry out our mission we need to present the best programs and curricula, the latter integrated directly with the state educational requirements. Our new classroom will provide this inspiring and engaging learning space.
GOAL MET! $25,000 MATCHING GRANT FROM THE WYOMING COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
As of early 2020, we have raised over $340,000 towards our $600,000 campaign goal, but we need your help now to help us complete our fundraising goal! The new Bighorn Classroom will be a much-needed space where students, families and visitors of all ages learn about bighorn sheep and are inspired to care for wildlife and their habitat. In December 2019, we met the matching grant of $25,000 awarded by the Wyoming Community Foundation, thanks to donors like YOU! Alongside generous matching dollars from James Rice, Bert and Leigh Tuckey, the Robert B. and Emilie W. Betts Foundation, Gary and Jo Butler, as well as the Falco Charitable Trust, these donations have helped us get closer to our campaign goal
We invite you to make this new Bighorn Classroom a reality by making a contribution of any amount.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed or pledged to-date and we look forward to the groundbreaking of this important expansion project.
Please donate today by contacting sara@bighorn.org, call 307-455-3429 or make your secure donation online by clicking the donate link above and specifying the “Bighorn Classroom” selection.
