Centre of the Earth
52°29′28″N 1°56′05″W / 52.4912°N 1.9348°W
The Centre of the Earth is a purpose-built environmental education centre in Birmingham, England, run by the Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country.
Location[edit]
It is 1.5 km away from Birmingham City Centre and was opened in 1993, and is claimed to be the first such purpose built centre in an urban setting in Europe.[1] The centre is set in landscaped grounds (originally a council yard), providing a resource for learning and play. The Soho Loop of the BCN Main Line Canal is adjacent, and the centre has its own wharf, which has been recently restored.
Building[edit]
The architect for the timber-framed building, which demonstrates the sustainable use of natural resources, was David Lea.[2] Keith Hall, a founding member of the Association for Environment Conscious Building, built the centre. The building and its grounds are easily accessible to people with limited mobility.
Activities[edit]
The centre is used as a base for a range of educational activities including:
- Activities for Primary and Secondary schools.
- Training for teachers, community, youth and play workers
- Workshops for students in higher education and teacher training.
- Afterschool activities and study support for children of different ages.
- Demonstrations of habitat creation in small urban spaces.
- A venue for meetings, workshops and training days
- A place to enjoy and study urban wildlife
References[edit]
- ^ "The Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country | Birmingham & Black Country". Wild-net.org. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
- ^ "Wales Institute for Sustainable Education - David Lea- Architect". Archived from the original on 9 July 2007. Retrieved 2009-09-10.