
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, July 25, 1990                   TAG: 9007250401
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A/8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: H. BERN EWERT
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

EXPLORE AND THE ENVIRONMENT

I CAN understand the public's confusion about Explore's focus on environmental education. It would be difficult for Evan Lloyd or anyone to get the complete picture from reading the paper, when the reporter provides "news" on the Lewis & Clark Center, for example, with incomplete and inaccurate information. Explore hasn't changed. It has become more specific.

In Explore's master plan, released for public review in December of 1987, the Blue Ridge Town plan (page 34) clearly indicates plans for the Lewis & Clark Museum and Jefferson Institute. When the town plan was further refined (released in October of 1989, and approved by both boards in January of 1990), the Lewis & Clark Center emerged as the Education Center.

In addition to these references, Explore's commitment to environmental education was evidenced by the concept for a greenway. The Environmental Education Camp (page 67) was planned to provide a "year-round educational facility for Virginia's children."

The Roanoke River Greenway master plan created an outline for creating a parklike area along the river for the purposes of protecting the river and the life in and along the river, and for creating compatible recreational uses along the river, i.e. bicycling, parks, walking paths.

The Lewis & Clark Center for cultural heritage and environmental awareness is being created to heighten public understanding of environmental issues under the auspices of government, industry, universities and environmental-research specialists. The facility will be a center for environmental education, research, mediation, policy/leadership development and cultural heritage in a balanced and neutral forum.

Explore is designed to educate, protect the environment and enhance the economy of our region. We will accomplish these goals in a variety of ways, including the creation of the Lewis & Clark Center and protection of the Roanoke River and its precious animal habitat.

by CNB