CEMEX’s Environmental Education Centers are outdoor classrooms that provide an alternative learning environment where students can discover Florida’s delicate ecosystems
Since 1994, CEMEX has been in partnership with the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC), which is a nonprofit, non-lobbying 501(c) 3 group of corporations, conservation organizations, and individuals dedicated to restoring and enhancing habitat.
This partnership has helped CEMEX give students across the state of Florida an exciting opportunity to learn in a setting that is far from traditional.
Our East Aggregate Division currently has 6 classrooms in Florida that are certified through WHC’s distinguished Wildlife At Work and Corporate Lands for Learning Programs.
- 474 Sand Mine - Clermont, Florida
- Center Hill Mine - Center Hill, Florida
- Lake Wales Sand Mine - Lake Wales, Florida
- Gator Sand Mine - Davenport, Florida
- Brooksville Quarry - Brooksville, Florida
- FEC Quarry - Miami, Florida
The curriculum and learning activities that take place at the classrooms are designed to provide students with hands-on problem solving opportunities which build scientific thinking and process skills. Students observe, make hypotheses and predictions, design experiments, set up data collection stations, gather and record data, and then analyze to draw logical conclusions. They communicate their observations and findings using the language of scientists. The teaching “staff” includes classroom teachers and CEMEX employees specifically trained in environmental education and expert scientists working in environmental fields.
- Goal 1: Ensure safety at the site.
- Goal 2: Provide an outdoor environmental education facility accessible to students within the county.
- Goal 3: Foster awareness of the importance of conservation and preservation of our environment and develop responsible stewards of the land.
- Goal 4: Engage the community in environmental education opportunities.
- Goal 5: Increase the abundance and biodiversity of an existing or created habitat.
- Goal 6: Establish sustainability.
- Goal 7: Foster awareness of how industry and natural habitat can coexist.
Accolades & Accomplishments
- Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) top award William W. Howard C.E.O. (Conservation, Education, and Outreach) award (2010)
- WHC’s Corporate Lands for Learning (CLL) of the Year; Center Hill (2010) and 474 (2002 and 2004)
- WHC’s Community Partner of the Year 474 partner (2002)
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Five Star Grant recipient; FEC (2006), 474 (2000)
- Enhancing Environmental Science Education through Technology Federal Grant ($747,102) was awarded to the Sumter County School District with outdoor classroom playing significant role for amount of funds received (2010).
- WHC’s Corporate Lands for Learning Rookie of the Year, FEC Quarry (2011)
- Student from Felix Varela High and teacher from Ronald Reagan High received grant money for projects created on site at the FEC quarry wildlife área.
Visit www.wildlifehc.org for details on awards and certifications through the Wildlife Habitat Council.
For partner information or general information on the Environmental Education Programs please click the link to Contact Us or call us at 1-800-992-3639.