WWF-Canada urges Ontario Government to reconsider Frost Centre closure

WWF

The Frost Centre was closed on July 13th after Minister of Natural Resources David Ramsay said that the government could no longer afford the expenditures required to sustain the Frost Centre, as it is “not in line with our core functions.”

“We cannot afford to let the Frost Centre close. There has been a dramatic loss of environmental education centres and programs in Ontario and the Frost Centre was one of the last key resources left. This closure is contrary to the Premier’s commitment to education in the province,” said Liz Lundy, Senior Manager, Education for WWF-Canada.

More than 250,000 people from schools, community and university groups have used the centre since its inception. The Frost Centre’s bookings have increased annually since 1996 and the government does not subsidize these bookings. The Frost Centre raises about $500,000 of its $1.7 million yearly budget, roughly the cost of these group bookings.

In fact the largest users of the Frost Centre are Ministry of Natural Resources staff. The government suggests that closing the Frost Centre will save more than $1.2 million annually, however the cost to train these MNR staff elsewhere is estimated at $3 to $4 million a year.

Originally established in the 1940’s as the Ontario Forest Ranger School, the Frost Centre has provided indoor and outdoor environmental education and training resources for students as well as for Ministry of Natural Resources staff for more than 80 years.

“This is a significant loss to conservation and environmental education in Ontario. WWF-Canada urges the province to reconsider its decision to close the Frost Centre. Now, more than ever, children and adults need to be inspired to protect habitats, species, water, soil and air. That inspiration needs to happen through sound education programs – something the Frost Centre has been doing effectively for decades,” said Lundy.

The closure of the Frost Centre came as a surprise to many people. Frost Centre staff and groups were given a week’s notice of the closure in the middle of the busiest season. With cuts to so many other environmental education programs this closure leaves hundreds of students with nowhere to go.

For more information please visit www.wwf.ca.