Nurture Nature Center
NicknameNNC
Formation2007; 17 years ago (2007)
FounderTheodore W. Kheel
Parent organization
Nurture Nature Foundation
AffiliationsBuy Fresh Buy Local Greater Lehigh Valley
Websitenurturenaturecenter.org

Nurture Nature Center (NNC) is a science-based education center focused on engaging the public on environmental risk topics.[1] NNC is located in the city of Easton, Pennsylvania, roughly 55 miles (89 km) north of Philadelphia and 70 miles (110 km) west of New York City. It was founded by Theodore W. Kheel in response to repeat flooding in 2004, 2005, and 2006 in the Delaware River Basin.[2][1][3][4] The Center's work today encompasses both national social science research and local community programming.

Areas of Work

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NNC's social science research, conducted in partnership with the National Weather Service and other governmental agencies.[5][6][7] addresses risk communication regarding natural hazards, particularly extreme weather events and flooding. The research focuses on how to better communicate about such risks both in communities impacted by river flooding and flash flooding[5] as well as coastal communities like those impacted by Hurricane Sandy.[8] The Nurture Nature Center has also worked with the local city government in Easton, to complete a vulnerability assessment to fulfill the city’s Global Covenant of Mayors commitment.[9][10][11]

NNC also organizes focus groups, surveys, and public meetings in Easton and the larger Lehigh Valley region about community knowledge of and priorities regarding environmental issues.[12][13][14]

Since opening its location in downtown Easton to the public in September 2011, NNC provides science education using NOAA's Science on a Sphere[15][16] and exhibits art related to the environment.[17][1][18] It is one of about 160 sites with the Sphere world-wide.[19] The Center receives federal grants[20][21][22] as well as state support[17] to develop science education and art programming.

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Lauer-Williams, K. (2012, August 10). Nurture Nature Center in Easton explores flooding and other climate issues. The Morning Call. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
  2. ^ Heil, R. (2011, September 19). Preparing for flooding might just keep your company afloat. Eastern Pennsylvania Business Journal.
  3. ^ Huth, K. (2011, September 12). Nurture Nature Center, a flood resource center, to open its doors Tuesday. Lehigh Valley Live. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  4. ^ Jordan, T. (2007, July 20). Museum to focus on Easton foe -- flooding. The Morning Call. (Note: This source was written before NNC acquired its current name and therefore refers to the center as the Flood Museum and Resource Center.)
  5. ^ a b Bresswein, K. (2018, September 2). How this Easton nonprofit is using $320K grant to better predict flooding. Lehigh Valley Live. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
  6. ^ Rhodin, T. (2017, September 03). What if Lehigh Valley experienced the rainfall Harvey brought to Texas?. Lehigh Valley Live. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
  7. ^ John-Hall, A. (2019, July 2). Are we doing severe weather alerts wrong? [Audio podcast]. WHYY. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
  8. ^ Zimmer, R. (2017, August 16). ‘Evacuate!’ isn’t enough: 5 ways to improve hurricane messaging. Asbury Park Press. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
  9. ^ Bresswein, K. (2018, May 25). Easton council commits to cutting greenhouse emissions: 7 things you can do. Lehigh Valley Live. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  10. ^ Althouse, S. (2018, September 25). Easton city council hears about flooding potential. WFMZ. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
  11. ^ Tatu, C. (2018, May 25). Easton goes green with commitment to reduce emissions. The Morning Call. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
  12. ^ Tatu, C. (2016, September 26). What matters to Easton? Nurture Nature Center releases report on environmental concerns. The Morning Call. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  13. ^ Miller, R. (2016, June 4). The top 10 environmental concerns of Easton residents. Lehigh Valley Live. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
  14. ^ Pearce, J. (2017, September 21). Nurture Nature Center on LV Discourse [Radio program]. WDIY 88.1. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
  15. ^ Nauroth, T. (2010, September 17). Nurture Nature Foundation brings global magic to Downtown Easton in 2011. Lehigh Valley Live. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
  16. ^ Learn more about science at the Nurture Nature Center [Television broadcast]. (2012, March 1). Easton, PA: 69 News WFMZ. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
  17. ^ a b Kuna, R. (2015, July 18). Local artist packs 100 environmental issues into one mural. Lehigh Valley Live. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
  18. ^ Miller, G. & Scuffle, K. (2017, August 14). Nurture Nature Center on LV Arts Salon [Radio program]. WDIY 88.1. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
  19. ^ SOS locations. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
  20. ^ Environmental literacy awards: 2018-2019 Environmental literacy grants. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
  21. ^ Pennsylvania: Institute of Museum and Library Services Funding Report: FY 2011-2016 [PDF file]. IMLS. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  22. ^ Merlin, M. (2016, September 15). Easton center awarded NASA grant. The Morning Call. Retrieved 1 October 2019.