Artist's renderings showing front and interior of our nature center. Click images above for a larger version.

Did you know that the Evanston Ecology Center...

• is picturesquely located among the trees of the Ladd Arboretum?
• is adjacent to the North Shore Channel which hosts kingfishers, Northern Orioles, foxes, beavers, various species of herons and snapping turtles?
• has a collection that includes local natural history exhibits of fossils, seeds, and mounted specimens?
• has a yearly attendance of approximately 13,000?
• has programs for all ages?
• has an extensive summer camp?
• conducts after school programs for 5-14 year olds at local community centers?
• is a destination for school field trips, scout troops and meets with teachers regularly to exchange program information?
• administers an extensive community gardening program that includes many community senior citizens?
• staff teaches Outdoor Adventure classes to a diverse population of ETHS students, some of whom become paid assistants in the Center's weekend canoeing program?
• sponsors a special outdoor recreation program series for children with disabilities?
• welcomes adults with disabilities who live in a residence across the street and visit the center to garden and to volunteer in the office?

• a visually exciting and informative exhibition space will capture the attention of new populations of visitors: runners, cyclists, walkers who pass by on the arboretum paths.
• middle school children walking home a place to stop not only for a drink, but a place that will capture their interest and draw them in as participants and learners.
• classroom space for more than one school or pre-school class to gather inside on a rainy day.
• a destination for family visits on weekends.
• meeting space for larger classes and public meetings.

Project Overview:

• Project Purpose
• Scope of the Ecology Center Project
• Project Funding

Architectural drawing showing bird's eye view of new nature center and Ecollogy Center expansion. Click image above for larger version.

Project Purpose
In 1997, while reviewing its mission of providing environmental education programs and resources to Evanston and surrounding communities, the Evanston Environmental Association (EEA) determined that the current Ecology Center, which is the resource site for environmental education, could not accommodate its demand for programs and services.

The EEA agreed that a building project, which expanded the size of the Ecology Center, could better meet the community's desire for classes, information services, and environmental programs.

The EEA approached the Evanston City Council in 1997 with a proposal to privately fund a renovation and expansion representing 2725 square feet to the existing Ecology Center. The City Council accepted the proposal and the EEA commenced the project. Back to top.

Scope of the Ecology Center Project
The EEA has committed its financial resources to funding the Ecology Center addition. This City of Evanston building, built in 1974 with private funds and donated to the City of Evanston, has not had significant building improvements since its original construction. The construction project provides the following:

• additional classroom and meeting space representing an addition of 1,800 square feet
• an exhibit gallery focusing on the natural history of Evanston
• a courtyard landscaped with plantings attractive to wildlife
• a trellis structure around the Ecology Center which integrates the Center with the surrounding Ladd Arboretum
• an operational stone fireplace
• a unified roofline
• an exterior drinking fountain for people and pets

The stone fireplace, combined with exposed wood beams and wood ceiling, creates a classroom/meeting space that welcomes the outside in, integrating the arboretum within the Ecology Center's walls.

The unified roofline integrates the old and new building parts, and the metal roof requires limited maintenance.

Recreation enthusiasts have access to an outdoor drinking fountain and their dogs can sip from their own outdoor source at our new multi-user outdoor drinking fountain. Back to top.

Project Funding
The EEA has dedicated a portion of its current financial resources to the project. Grant applications have been sent out and a solicitation of private individuals, businesses, and organizations is underway.
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