An $80,000 state grant is giving local elementary and college students a chance to get their feet wet.

The Centre Regional Recreation Authority (CRRA) and the Centre County Historical Society will use the funds to create a wetlands laboratory and repair a local historic landmark.

Centre Region Parks and Recreation (CRPR) Director Ron Woodhead said one of the main improvement projects will be creating a wetlands laboratory in the basement of the barn at Millbrook Marsh Nature Center, 614 Puddintown Road.

Robert Brooks, professor of wildlife and wetlands, and founder of the Penn State Cooperative Wetlands Center, said the wetlands lab is going to be geared toward grade-school students rather than college students.

"It's a great opportunity for these kids to learn about and become interested in studying the wetlands," he said.

There are also plans to create a building near the nature center, which will house advanced equipment to help Brooks' students study the wetlands year-round.

Millbrook Marsh Nature Center Recreation Supervisor Molly Hetrick said a fund-raising campaign for the building, which would be called the "Four Seasons Education Center," is being discussed by the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center Advisory Committee.

"The education center is a top priority, as long as we get the funding," she said.

Woodhead said another major improvement project will be repairing the mortar around the stones of Centre Furnace Mansion, 1001 E. College. Ave, through a process called "repointing."

He said other projects include stabilizing the bank of Spring Creek at problem areas and using available resources to repair playground equipment at local parks.

"There are 48 parks we are responsible for, so there is always a need somewhere," Woodhead said.

State Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, R-Centre, said this is the fourth consecutive year that the CRRA has applied for and received this grant.

"I am pleased that the Department of Labor and Industry is helping Centre County in its effort to improve the environment, repair historic landmarks and enhance the quality of life of area residents," he said.

Benninghoff added that the reason the grant makes community improvement projects possible is because it pays for necessary labor provided by the Pennsylvania Conservation Corps (PCC).

Centre County Historical Society President Jacqueline Melander said she is looking forward to working with the PCC.

"It's been wonderful working with them in the past," she said. "They've really done a great job."

Melander said in addition to repointing, the Centre Furnace Mansion, the PCC crew will also be repairing a small building next to it that was damaged by lightning several years ago.

She added that the PCC will also create a walking path that will connect the Centre Furnace Mansion to the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center.

State Rep. Lynn Herman, R-Centre, and a member of the Centre County Historical Society, said the grants of previous years have gone a long way in preserving the historical traditions of Centre County.

"The grant will ultimately enhance the quality of life of residents as it serves to improve the environment as well as restore and preserve our historical facilities," he said.