In Pardubice, a new eco-center will be created for 50 million

Pardubice - The regional center for environmental education Ekocentrum Paleta plans to build a visitor information and education center in Pardubice. The so-called Natura park is intended to familiarize the public with the system of European significant nature reserves Natura. This will expand the existing extensive educational and awareness-raising activities of Paleta to all age groups, said the center's director Jiří Bureš to reporters today.
     "Part of the exhibition will be inside the building, and part outside in the garden. Visitors will be able to create their own program with borrowed tools, for example, to catch and identify animals in the pond according to a key, or to assemble a skeleton of an animal," Bureš stated. In the Pardubice region, 49 European significant Natura sites and three so-called bird areas have already been declared.
     The new facility is expected to rise behind the swimming pool by the Chrudimka River. Costs, including exhibitions, will amount to about 50 million crowns, and the center intends to cover them with European grants. The project is already completed, has applied for a building permit, and is waiting for the announcement of a call for applications.
     Paleta was established as a civic association in 1990 and is among the most productive centers for environmental education in the country. Last year, its 1247 programs were attended by a total of 23,943 children from preschool to high school students. Educational programs are funded by grants from European funds, and to a lesser extent, by contributions from the Pardubice region and sponsors, fees for programs, and sales of its own products and publications. Currently, the center employs 18 permanent staff and is assisted by a number of volunteers. In addition to Pardubice, it also has a branch in Chrudim and a residential center in Oucmanice in the Orlickoústecko region.