Harbor Friends looking for a home for Outdoor Classroom Program

The Outdoor Classroom Program is a natural history field guide series centered on the Grand Marais harbor.  It was funded mainly through an $80,000 matching grant from Minnesota's Lake Superior Coastal Program and features 9 illustrated field guides, children's coloring and activity books, 5 guided tours, and a mobile, pedal-powered information kiosk.  The non-profit conservation group Harbor Friends created the program, but they’re winding down their operations and want to give it to the Grand Marais Rec Park, along with a monetary donation of $6,000 to help fund the program's continuation.  

In this interview, WTIP volunteer Barb Rawitzer finds out more about the proposal from Harbor Friends treasurer Evelyn Larsen and group founder Molly Hoffman.  They'll be appearing before the Park Board on Tuesday, June 7.  The meeting starts at 3:30 p.m.  For more information, call Parks Manager Dave Tersteeg at 387-1712.

About Minnesota's Lake Superior Coastal Program
Minnesota's Lake Superior Coastal Program is a voluntary federal-state partnership dedicated to the comprehensive management of the state's coastal resources.  The Program provides technical and financial resources for the local community, by bringing federal dollars into Minnesota for the Lake Superior coastal area.

The Coastal Program’s goal is to preserve, protect, develop, and where possible, restore or enhance coastal resources along Minnesota's North Shore of Lake Superior.  The annual Grant program is an important funding source for local communities to help them balance protection of coastal resources with providing places for people to live, work, and play.