"The Tom Ridge Environmental Center" is shaped like the Penninsula itself and seems to rise naturally from its surroundings at the entrance to Presque Isle State Park. In the two-story structure of brick, glass and steel, visitors will discover a 75-foot observation tower, 7,000 square feet of interactive exhibits, an orientation theater, a research wing, an education wing, the Presque Isle Nature Shop, the Sunset Cafe and the Big Green Screen (a 175-seat, large-format theater, the first of its kind in the Pennsylvania State Park system). The architects and contractors used "green" technology in the design and construction of this center, which is also a first in the PA State Park system. The Center will receive at least a LEED Silver rating (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) from the U.S. Green Building Council.

The Tom Ridge Environmental Center is many things to many people.

• An educational resource with displays and exhibits, indoor and outdoor classrooms, interpretive programs and more.
• A research center, administered by the Regional Science Consortium, which consists of 31 colleges, universities and environmental organizations from across the United States and Canada to study Great Lakes Watersheds, Presque Isle eco-systems and wildlife, Presque Isle Bay water quality and the headwaters of the Ohio River Basin.
• A travel destination with interactive exhibits, a retail nature shop, a food court, large-format movie theater and information about the tourist attractions in Pennsylvania's Great Lakes Region, which includes Crawford, Erie, Mercer and Venango Counties in northwestern PA.
• An environmental resources center - a one-stop shop of local and state agencies providing services and information related to Presque Isle State Park and Great Lakes issues.

This $31 million, state-of-the-art center shares the treasures of Presque Isle with nature enthusiasts, educators, researchers, tourists and other visitors. As a Friend of The Tom Ridge Center, you can help assure continued enhancement of this extraordinary, one-of-a-kind facility on the Great Lakes.

The Tom Ridge Environmental Center is open year round except for Christmas, New Year's and Easter. Summer hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., seven days a week. Fall hours are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., seven days a week. For further information, call (814) 833-7424, or go to the website at www.trecpi.org.