MIDLAND Sibley Nature Center is pleased to announce a partnership with ConocoPhillips to support field trips and educational outreach for West Texas rural public school district students in grades K-12. This generous donation allows students and educators the opportunity to visit and learn about West Texas ecology. Through their outreach programs, students can connect with nature by engaging in hands-on outdoor activities aligned with Texas curriculum standards.
Sibley Nature Center, located in Midland, is a hub for celebrating the nature and history of the West Texas region. Located at 1307 East Wadley Avenue, the center spans 49 acres within Hogan Park. The Center offers a variety of educational programs and personal experiences aimed at increasing community knowledge about local flora, fauna and history. The Center features an extensive public trail system, which allows for exploration of the local ecosystem and supports data collection for community interests and needs. Visitors can also enjoy interactive exhibits and guided tours.
“With the growing demand for youth activities and the increase in the local student population, we are partnering with ConocoPhillips to offer field trips to all area public schools. This initiative will benefit the entire Permian Basin community,” Misty Thomason, Director of Education, said in a news release.
Field trips provide students with a two-hour educational adventure at the Center and include a guided nature hike, a tour of the education garden, interactive activities and a visit to the Sibley Nature Center Museum. These field trips are carefully designed to support a variety of academic subjects and ensure that students gain a well-rounded understanding of the flora and fauna of the Llano Estacado.
“Teaching kids about their surroundings and instilling knowledge about wildlife and our natural resources at a young age is so important,” said Sibley Nature Center board member and ConocoPhillips Permian Basin Director of Ecology Jesse Wood. “Our partnership with the Center helps expand these important experiences across the Permian Basin.”
All Sibley Nature Center programs are TEKS-aligned and designed to provide direct field experiences with classroom content. These field trips allow students to interact with and analyze concepts like plant and animal adaptation, habitats, geology, cultural history, classification and insects while bringing classroom experiences outdoors.
Sibley Nature Center is grateful to ConocoPhillips for this generous donation and looks forward to sharing all that the Center has to offer Permian Basin students, the release said.
For more information about the Sibley Nature Center, please visit Home – Sibley Nature Center or contact Misty Thomason (432)684-6827.