The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

As a program of the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation, Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center strives to enrich the community by offering educational events and opportunities. Shangri La has been awarded the Texas’ highest environmental honor by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the Texas Environmental Excellence Award. As one of only nine statewide winners, Shangri La was chosen because of its overall environmental education programming.

“This award speaks highly of the quality of environmentally-conscious events and programs that are offered to visitors of all ages at Shangri La,” say Director Michael Hoke. “Programs such as the Community Trash-Off, Earth Week and Eco-Fest activities, as well as our programming for students and teacher workshops increase the awareness of environmental issues and promote our mission of mentoring children of all ages to be kind to their world.”

TCEQ officials will meet with Shangri La staff on Wednesday, March 28 from 10 to 11:30 a.m., announcing Shangri La’s award and filming scenes for a video that will be shown during a banquet on May 2 in Austin, Texas. All media are invited to the award announcement on March 28 at Shangri La.

Located at 2111 West Park Avenue in Orange, Texas, Shangri La is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. For more information call 409-670-9113 or visit http://www.shangrilagardens.org.