Lethbridge, Alberta

Scope and Content: An aerial view of the Helen Schuler Coulee Centre. The Helen Schuler Nature Centre opened in 1982 and is operated by the City of Lethbridge. In its first year of operation, over 8500 people visited the Nature Centre and took part in the programs.Named for Helen Schuler a local environmentalist who…

History Biographical: The Chinook Country Tourist Association is a not-for-profit organization serving the tourism industry in southern Alberta since 1969. Their mandate is tourism pormotion and development in the area known as Chinook Country. Chinook Country borders British Columbia to the west, Montana to the south, Calgary city limits to the north and Writing-On-Stone Park to the east. Chinook Country Tourist Association has a partnership with the City of Lethbridge operating two Visitor Information Centres in the city which help over 50,000 visitors to Lethbridge annually. The association is an advocate for the tourist industry of southwest Alberta and they believe in tourist development, historical preservation, cultural identity and economic growth. Chinook Tourist Association is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and membership from the community.

Scope and Content: An aerial view of the Helen Schuler Coulee Centre. The Helen Schuler Nature Centre opened in 1982 and is operated by the City of Lethbridge. In its first year of operation, over 8500 people visited the Nature Centre and took part in the programs.Named for Helen Schuler a local environmentalist who served as the Lethbridge Naturalists Society first president. Helen Schuler was an activist, researching information, preparing briefs and writing letters on environmental concerns. She was instrumental in establishing environmental education programming in local schools; programs that became so successful they eventually played a major role in the construction of the Nature Centre. Helen Schuler passed away in 1977 at the age of 46, from cancer. Her contributions and concern for the environment are remembered in the dedication of this building. By 1984, more space was needed at the centre and an additional programming room and offices were added on. The Nature Centre has changed and grown with the community, and now receives close to 30,000 visitors per year!