Gift pushes Shaver's Creek endowment past $1 million

Petersburg, Pa. -- A new $50,000 gift from Mark McBride, recently retired as a senior research engineer in Penn State's Applied Research Lab, boosted Shaver's Creek Environmental Center's total endowment past $1 million. McBride contributed the first $25,000 of the two-year commitment this fall.

"This gift will help us provide additional environmental programming to the region's children," said Mark McLaughlin, Shaver's Creek director. "We are now working to establish new, science-based programming that will allow kids to involve themselves in the study and exploration of nature."

McBride said he was reminded of his own experiences exploring nature in his youth. "As a youngster, I recall many experiences with nature and animals that gave me a deep appreciation for the need to preserve the natural environment and the delicate nature of life on Earth," he said. "I would very much like to provide today's young people with similar experiences in order to foster a desire to protect the wild environment and reverse the degradation of our shared world and its endangered species."

"It is particularly fitting that Mark McBride gave the gift that allowed our endowment to surpass $1 million," McLaughlin said. "Mark's enthusiasm for our work and his vision for the possibilities both for programming and facilities is truly extraordinary.

"The fact that our endowment has reached this high level is evidence that, now more than ever, the community believes in our mission of helping people to achieve and maintain harmony with the natural world," he noted.

McBride added, "As a member of the Penn State family for over 40 years, I have received many benefits. I feel privileged to be able to support Shaver's Creek in their mission through this donation and by participating in their programs."

Jennifer Brackbill, program director in charge of school day programs, said the programming will be for kids ages 12-15 using hands-on educational approaches as well as community and University resources, including guest speakers. Brackbill is leading the programming and noted that McBride is actively participating with the program's development.

Shaver's Creek Environmental Center is a unit of Penn State Outreach celebrating its 30th anniversary of helping people and communities learn to live in harmony with our natural environment that supports all life. Visit the Shaver's Creek Web site at http://www.ShaversCreek.org online.