Hidden Valley Nature Center (HVNC) is deeply appreciative for the support of more than fifty individual donors in the past year who helped make possible the construction of two new buildings. The first is a large education and community gathering space dubbed The Barn. The second is a new cabin on the shore of Little Dyer Pond to be used for any number of gatherings and for overnight rentals.

The campaign to fund and build these additions was initiated one year ago with the first check coming from Sierra Morgan, an 8-year-old neighbor and HVNC regular. She says, “I like that there’s a nature center so close to my house, and I don’t want it to go away.”

Sierra and her family have been enjoying and exploring HVNC since the very beginning. She and her classmates have been among the many students that visit HVNC on a regular basis, and she can often be found out there skiing with her parents and younger sister.

“We were impressed and touched by the level of community support in general,” says HVNC’s Director Andy McEvoy. “But, that first check from Sierra was especially important. It indicates to us that we’re engaging local kids and making strong connections. That feels really good.”

Both buildings are essentially complete. McEvoy admits that they both need some finishing touches, but nothing that will affect their use in the near term. “Whether it’s renters in the Little Dyer Cabin, or skiers and school groups using The Barn these buildings are both in regular use.”

The classroom hosts at least one school group a week in addition to HVNC’s own weekly workshops and events. The pavilion attached to the classroom has hosted celebrations, concerts and workshops. The new Little Dyer Cabin has been booked every weekend in March with families and groups.

For more information: wwww.hvnc.org, info@hvnc.org, or 207-200-8840.