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Contact: Steven Leibman or Grace Per Lee
802-864-1848 ext. 125 or 131
sleibman@echovermont.org or gperlee@echovermont.org

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ECHO RECEIVES MILLION DOLLAR ENDOWMENT

Lois McClure Champions ECHO’s Future

BURLINGTON, Vt. — On Friday, May 16th — in celebration of ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center at the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain’s 5th Anniversary — philanthropist Lois McClure made a one-million-dollar gift to ECHO’s endowment fund; helping to  ensure the center’s future for many years to come.

ECHO is entering its 5th year of serving over 750,000 locals and visitors alike, and launched their birthday celebration with Lois McClure, U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy and his wife Marcelle, and ECHO Board Chair Tom Little headlining a special evening attended by ECHO supporters. Said Mrs. McClure, to enthusiastic cheers, “Buildings, like people, grow older; and sometimes, like some of us, they need new parts… I made this gift so that children today — and many years from today — have a place to learn about our Lake.”

Phelan Fretz, ECHO’s Executive Director, announced another gift: On May 31st, ECHO will host a $2 Admission Day as a “thank you to the community,” marking the actual date of the institution’s 5th birthday. Says Fretz, “It is in large part thanks to our neighbors and friends that we are able to continue our mission of educating and delighting guests about the Ecology, Culture, History, and Opportunities for stewardship of the Lake Champlain Basin. We are, and always will be, a life-long learning resource for community members of all ages.”

ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center is located at the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, on Vermont’s Burlington Waterfront. ECHO features 70 species of live fish, amphibians, invertebrates, and reptiles, over 100 interactive experiences, seasonal changing exhibits and events, and 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 green-themed Think! Café. Open year-round, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve & Day. Admission is $7-$9.50; children under 3 and K-12 classroom teachers with credential ID are free. For more information visit echovermont.org, call 1-877-ECHOFUN, or write to ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, One College Street, Burlington, VT 05401.  
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