$2,000 grant to further Columbia Springs’ mission

Old Evergreen Highway — Columbia Springs Environmental Education Center was awarded a $2,000 grant this month to aid its continuing efforts to support environmental education for school children in Clark County. The award came from the Bess Spiva Timmons Foundation of Joplin, Mo., which provides assistance to those serving in education, health, medical research and the arts. Columbia Springs provides hands-on environmental science activities to more than 3,500 elementary school students every year, according to a press release. Classes often schedule field trips to the site. With program names including “Wild World of Bugs” and “Stream Sleuths,” the trips focus on ecosystems, animal life and conservation practices, among other topics. Columbia Springs is on a 100-acre nature preserve at the Vancouver Trout Hatchery, 12208 S.E. Evergreen Highway.