Pictured is the 1994 Envirothon Team. From left are Krisie Auffhammer, Jason Lindstrom, Karlyn Monroe, Simon Monroe, Molly Brown. Not present was Patty Habig.

Centaur Stride was founded with health and wellness at its heart, guided by a simple but powerful belief: horses and nature are the foundations that can both teach and heal. From the very beginning, our vision reached beyond the physical act of just the benefits of riding.

Our original five-year plan included environmental education–opening the natural world to people who might not be able to explore woodlands on foot, but who could experience forests, fields, and ecosystems from horseback.

Centaur Stride is located on 63 acres of property that has so many different habitats, soil conditions, elevations and contours, woodlands, wetlands, creek, springs and opportunities to study nature.

One of our earliest steps into environmental education was the Envirothon. In 1994, when Westfield School did not have an Envirothon club, Centaur Stride got permission from Westfield school to create one to represent WACS. The team was small but mighty: six participants from our programs, made up of one rider and five volunteers, all Westfield students.

With only six weeks to prepare, volunteer coach Anne Roggenbaum guided the team through an intensive learning journey that blended classroom knowledge with hands-on discovery.

Guest speakers — including Frank Lauricella, Tom Koss, Bill Culligan, and Dave Wilson — shared their expertise in wildlife, forestry, aquatics, acid rain, and soils. Students weren’t just listening; they were questioning, observing, and applying what they learned. Several adults even audited the classes alongside them, creating a truly shared learning experience. Field studies followed, with students scouting the landscape to identify and observe real-world examples of the concepts they had studied. It was immersive, interdisciplinary, and unforgettable–an outdoor learning adventure in every sense.

Against great odds, while other schools had a full year to prepare and carefully select teams, our group placed seventh out of eight teams. But the true success was never measured by rankings. It lived in the curiosity sparked, the confidence built, the teamwork formed, and the lasting inspiration to care for the natural world. The bonus was the fun that Anne brought to anything she did.

That spirit still defines Centaur Stride’s goals today.

By maximizing what already exists in our own community and offering meaningful enrichment opportunities, we can help to motivate youth and participants of all abilities to engage deeply with conservation, ecology, sustainability, and healthy living. Centaur Stride offers an integrated, inclusive, and an accessible environment, one where environmental education and healing with horses can come together in powerful ways. Even now, more than 30 years later, we have not yet fully realized that original five-year vision. The possibilities remain enormous.

To bring these programs back to life — and to grow them — we need funding, volunteers, school and community partnerships, and a renewed commitment to our collective health, wellness, and care for Mother Earth. This is the year of the Fire Horse. Time to move forward.

Most importantly, we need to hear from you.

Before launching customized nature-based education programs, we must know there is interest. We invite homeschool groups, school clubs, science classes, ecology and conservation programs, alternative education programs, and private participants to reach out and let us know you want to be involved. Together, we can design experiences that combine environmental education with the healing power of horses. Program costs vary depending on group size and duration. For school participation, Centaur Stride is a participant in the BOCES Co-Ser Reimbursement Agreement for individual school districts.

If you are in 4th grade or older, an educator, a volunteer, a nature enthusiast, or someone who believes in experiential learning, now is the time to step forward. Help us shape the next chapter of Centaur Stride–where students learn by doing, nature becomes the classroom, and healing happens one stride at a time.

We are also seeking people to serve on Advisory Committees, specifically finance, fundraising, events, grant writing, and program development. If interested, please contact us at info@centaurstride.org.

Saturday, Feb. 7 is our Soup Supper Fundraiser from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Westfield United Methodist Church for a $15 donation. A lot of work goes into creating fundraisers and we go above and beyond to make our fundraisers the best bang for your buck. It is so deflating when there is a poor turn-out. Please show your support and enjoy great food, chances for amazing door prizes and some of the best basket raffle items, sure to make great Valentine’s gifts.

Feb. 14 is our next Volunteer Orientation from noon to 2 p.m. at Centaur Stride, 8488 Jones Road, Sherman. Call to register at (716) 326-4318.

Hopefully, you have already had the opportunity to benefit from programs or volunteer opportunities at Centaur Stride, If not, start now and let “healing with horses” make a difference in your life.

Claudia Monroe is president and founder of Centaur Stride.