John James Audubon Education Program Gets $3K Donation For Norristown School Programs

NORRISTOWN, PA — Walking across the campus at Norristown Area High School, you may have noticed the signs lining the riparian area around Stony Creek, warning of habitat restoration and streambank revitalization projects underway. These projects are undertaken by students in the district, and they recently received a grant to help them continue their important work.

The John James Audubon Center received a generous $3,000 donation from Ambler Savings Bank to improve programs with the Norristown Area School District, officials from involved parties announced Thursday.

The donation is aimed at Audubon's Creating Schoolyard Habitat Program, which helps Norristown teachers provide in-classroom programming and field trips to the Audubon Center, the bank said.

As part of the program, students create schoolyard habitat projects that also help to reduce runoff, improve water quality, beautify the school grounds, and inspire environmental stewardship in the community.

“We are grateful for our new partnership with Ambler Savings Bank that assures students in underserved Norristown will have the opportunity to experience the scientific inquiry process using Audubon provided tools and information not otherwise available,” said Carrie Barron, Audubon Assistant Director. “This funding will allow students to receive Audubon education in their classrooms, schoolyards and at our 212 acre site.”

Pictured: (from left) Diane Kresge, Ambler Savings Bank Fairview Village Branch Manager; Erin Cohen, Ambler Savings Bank Retail Officer; Carrie Barron, Assistant Director/Education Manager; Scooter, John James Audubon Center non-releasable owl; and Jean Bochnowski, Center Director.

Image via Ambler Savings Bank