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New Donation Will Let Irvine Nature Center Double In Size

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Every year, tens of thousands of children and families get up close and personal with Mother Nature in Baltimore County. Now, thanks to a very generous donation, the Irvine Nature Center is going to double in size.

Jessica Kartalija has more.

Thanks to a million dollar gift at the Irvine Nature Center, exploring the great outdoors will be even greater.

"We've now doubled in size to 210 acres of conservation eased land in the Caves Valley," said Brooks Paternotte, Irvine's executive director. "It's extraordinary."

From his family's trust, the Charles T. Bauer Charitable Foundation, Baltimore native Ted Bauer has awarded a million dollar grant to Irvine to buy 93 acres next to its property on Garrison Forest Road.

"I wanted to do something that would really make a difference for them," Bauer said.

Bauer, who owns the Oregon Grille and Valley Inn, donated the land as a tribute to his father, who loved the outdoors.

"You remember those things as a kid so in a day and age when kids are spending too much time indoors, this is a great way to celebrate the outdoors again," Bauer said.

With the land grant, Irvine will be able to offer 210 acres of open space for additional educational programs and trails.

"Our mission is to explore, respect and protect and that first one is going to happen right here on Bauer Preserve at Irvine," Paternotte said.

Now Irvine will start mapping out new hiking trails and expand their outdoor learning sites.

"Sometimes it's the giver that receives the gift and that's really the case here," Bauer said.

Irvine Nature Center has about 70,000 visitors every year. Now, with 93 additional acres, that number is expected to increase with more children experiencing nature.

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