THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, January 25, 1996 TAG: 9601240114
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: COMMUNITY NEWS
LENGTH: Short : 32 lines
The estate of Celia Stern has pledged $5,000 toward construction of the Ernie Morgan Environmental Action Center, according to the Norfolk Environmental Commission.
The late Ernie Morgan, for whom the center is named, was a local environmental activist who helped organize the Clean City Committee in 1979. Commonly called ``the Mayor of Ocean View,'' Morgan led many successful community recycling and environmental projects, including litter prevention and city beautification.
The Norfolk Environmental Commission recently began a fund drive to raise the $100,000 needed to renovate the former concession building at the Lafayette Park Zoo to create a home for the center, which will feature interactive learning exhibits, an environmental library, free literature and referral assistance to citizens on a wide range of environmental topics.
The commission raised close to $10,000 last year through private contributions. Beyond cash donations, the commission is pursuing in-kind bestowals of labor and building materials. Renovation is expected to begin in the spring with an opening date of late 1996. For more information, call 664-4650. by CNB