Officials of Columbia Public Schools (CPS) have announced that the Boone County Nature School dedication will take place on Friday at 1 p.m. You are cordially invited to attend.

The Boone County Nature School is a partnership between CPS, the Missouri Department of Conservation and the community, which includes all six Boone County school districts. CPS provided $2 million to build the nature school, while the Missouri Department of Conservation contributed $1 million. Boone County contributed about $400,000. Columbia’s Audubon Society contributed $30,000 for the Council House portion of the nature school.

Dr. Brian Yearwood, superintendent of Columbia Public Schools, told 939 the Eagle that the nature school will be a model for Missouri and the nation. Boone County Executive Kip Kendrick told 939 the Eagle that the nature school will be critical to the county in the long term, adding that Three Creeks is one of the best nature preserves in Missouri.

Mr. Kendrick has been involved in the nature schools issue since he was first elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 2014. He helped lead a bipartisan effort in Jefferson City to restore funding for the 270-acre project.