ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, at the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain in Burlington, today welcomed US Senator Patrick Leahy, philanthropist Lois McClure, and other dignitaries, donors and supporters, for the launch of The Little Fund: Honoring George E Little’s Vision for ECHO’s Strategic Innovation and Growth. The comprehensive fundraising initiative will spawn capital improvements, new exhibits, and interactive spaces critical to ECHO’s mission.
Senator Patrick Leahy delivered news of strong initial support for The Little Fund, through a $476,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
Local philanthropist Lois McClure announced her endowment pledge to the Fund of $500,000.
Little’s Burlington High School’s Class of 1939 presented their generous gift to the Fund, collected by classmates in honor of their 70th high school reunion.
ECHO’s Board of Directors revealed that $1.5 million has been raised to date, with 100% Board participation in this effort.
ECHO’s growth through the Little Fund will take shape in a variety of ways: new Lake Science Teaching Labs; reconstruction of the Discovery Place for our pre-school visitors; expansion of programs to reach underserved populations and elementary school students; and significant support to a project very close to Little’s heart: Voices for the Lake — inspiring Basin stewardship through social media. The Little Fund also includes support for ECHO’s Annual Fund; expenses for future building expansion; and, importantly, an initiative to support ECHO’s endowment.
When the idea for creating a lake aquarium and science center in Burlington was conceived more than a decade ago, the vision of one man, George E. Little, Jr., was at the heart of ECHO’s mission to “…educate and delight visitors about the Ecology, Culture, History and Opportunity for stewardship of the Lake Champlain Basin.” Now his dream has taken flight, through The Little Fund.
To learn more about ECHO visit www.echovermont.org.To make a donation to The Little Fund, or for further information, please contact ECHO’s Director of Development Kate Villa, at [email protected] and 1.877.324.6386 ext. 118.
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ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center is located at the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, on Vermont’s Burlington Waterfront. ECHO features 70 live species, more than 100 interactive experiences, changing and permanent exhibits and seasonal events — all exploring the Ecology, Culture, History, and Opportunity for stewardship of the Lake Champlain Basin. The 2.2 acre Leahy Center environmental campus is also highlighted by the Lake Champlain Basin Program Resource Room, UVM’s Rubenstein Ecosystem Science Laboratory, Lake Champlain Navy Memorial, ECHO’s Eclectic Gift Shop, and ecology-themed Think! Café. Open year-round, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve & Day. For more information visit echovermont.org, call 1.877.324.6386, or write to ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, One College Street, Burlington, VT 05401.