Due to state budget cuts, the Moran Outdoor School is closing after 14 years.

Despite the effort of Friends of Moran to help fund the program, the Moran Outdoor School was cut from the Washington State Park’s budget and will no longer offer environmental programs.

Linda Sheridan, director of Orcas Island Recreation Program, ran the program as Interpretive Specialist for the last four years.

President of the Friends of Moran Michel Vekved said, “Friends of Moran explored many options to keep the program running, but in these economic times we were not able to raise enough capital to keep Linda on or the infrastructure of the program. We have another program, currently running with OICF grant money, called Creatures of the Forest. It’s our hope to continue and to expand the reach of that program off island.”

Moran Outdoor School held its last season this spring with 595 participants in four weeks.

“Like all of the Outdoor School seasons before it, this one was a huge success,” Vekved said.

To honor the 14 years of Moran Outdoor School, a reunion celebration will be held at the Moran Environmental Learning Center on Sept. 26 starting at 8 p.m. All past staff, past campers, community members, parents and teachers are invited. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Moran Outdoor School items will be for sale. All proceeds will benefit the Friends of Moran.

Moran Outdoor School Celebration events

Saturday, Sept. 26

1 to 2 p.m. Check in

2 to 5 p.m. Canoeing on Cascade Lake

3 to 5 p.m. Nature games for kids, basketball, volleyball, Frisbee

4 to 5 p.m. Camouflage

5 to 6:30 p.m. Potluck and slideshow

6:30 p.m. Composting talk

7 p.m. Campfire & marshmallow roasting