$300,000 for Center in Savannah

Savannah is on the map as a nationally recognized center for environmental conservation and education. And now, $300,000 in state and local funding will help develop the Montezuma Environmental Education Center.

The Center will be used for both educational and recreational purposes. There will be a central area where visitors can tour and learn about wetland restoration and protection. Programs on outdoor education and environmental preservation will also be provided at the Center.

Another educational component of this project is a partnership being developed between the Center and local school districts to offer students classes about wildlife and the environment. Funding for this project will also be used to provide spotting scopes, so visitors can observe wildlife.

"When the Montezuma Environmental Education Center was on the drawing boards, the Town of Savannah knew it would be hard hit with public land purchases and a corresponding decrease in the tax base. The town asked the state to support the development of a visitor center to help offset the loss in tax revenue that would result from massive public land acquisitions. The town knew its economic survival was dependent upon a new point of view. From now on, tourism would form the basis of the local economy and a visitor center would go a long way toward achieving that goal," said Donald Colvin, Savannah Town Supervisor.

Ducks Unlimited, a public corporation, has been working in conjunction with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation developing plans for the new center.

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