The Hawai'i Nature Center has received $500,000 toward building an environmental and recreational center at Wailua Reservoir on Kaua'i, Gov. Linda Lingle said in a release.

The planned 3,000-square-foot facility will provide Kaua'i schoolchildren, residents and visitors with educational programs and outdoor nature experiences, and include classrooms, a community meeting space and a recreational area.

The Hawai'i Nature Center is a nonprofit organization focused on educating young people about natural resources and science, the governor's announcement said.

The Nature Center will seek private, federal and foundation funding to cover the remainder of the new Kaua'i facility's estimated $4.5 million cost.

Design of the facility is to begin this summer and last one year. Construction could begin in September 2009 and be completed in December 2011, the release said.