Sturgeon City unveils new environmental education center

A local non-profit organization in the east celebrated a 20-year water quality initiative Wednesday with the unveiling of a new facility.

Sturgeon City celebrated the opening of its new 11,000 square foot environmental education center in Jacksonville.

The new space features classrooms for education and lab use, and will also be adaptable to meetings and special events in the area.

The $4-million facility is the culmination of the community's 20-year effort to restore Wilson Bay and the New River after years of pollution and degradation. With the help of the city and county they say stronger water quality and healthy marine life will help bring more people to the area.

Sturgeon City says since 1999 more than 68,000 students and adults have been served through more than 1,000 programs within their organization. The new facility will help educate the youth on how to the protect the water in the area for years to come.