Tucson, AZ -- The Cooper Center for Environmental Learning (Camp Cooper) invites members of the media to an exclusive preview of its newly renovated, sustainably built cabins on Thursday, April 9, at 9:30 AM. This special media event will offer a first look at the largest hemp-lime construction project in the United States, an environmental design that makes these cabins a model for
sustainable education spaces in Southern Arizona.
 

Funded primarily by the 2023 voter-approved Tucson Unified School District Bond, the Camp Cooper cabin project is a showcase in sustainable innovation.
The improvements incorporate cutting-edge, eco-friendly building techniques, such as:

  • Hemp Construction Materials- sourced from Old Pueblo Hemp Co.
  • Natural Plaster Finishes- provided by Originate.
  • Energy-Efficient Design- including reclaimed wood for the bunk beds.
     

“These features not only reduce environmental impact but also serve as hands-on teaching tools for the thousands of students who visit Camp Cooper each year to learn about sustainability, conservation, and the Sonoran Desert ecosystem,” said the Director of Camp Cooper, Colin Waite.

 

Media attendees will have the opportunity to tour the cabins, capture photo and video footage, and speak with Camp Cooper leadership and project building partners, such as Chasse Construction, about the vision behind the project and its role in expanding access to outdoor education. With the cabins nearing completion, the Cooper Center looks forward to resuming overnight programming and deepening its impact on local students and the Tucson community.

 

This media preview also serves as a lead-up to Camp Cooper’s Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 18, from 4:00–7:00PM, a free, family-friendly community event. The celebration will include an official ribbon cutting for the new cabins, recognition of donors and partners, interactive activities for kids, and free food and beverages. Attendees will also get to
experience a special mural reveal by local artist Jessica Gonzales.


The new cabins represent a major step forward in the organization’s mission to create meaningful outdoor learning opportunities rooted in sustainability.

 

About The Cooper Center for Environmental Learning:

The Cooper Center for Environmental Learning is a “living classroom” in Tucson’s desert foothills, run by the UA College of Education in partnership with TUSD. Serving over 3,000 kids a year, the center connects children and learners of all ages with the Sonoran Desert through immersive, education-based, outdoor adventures. They build deep relationships with nature in a
welcoming and inclusive environment, fostering a love and understanding of the natural world. 

 

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