WEST MILFORD The Raymond L. Johnson Environmental Center at Macopin Middle School in West Milford was formally dedicated on Tuesday, June 20. The Environmental Center represents years of hard work by many volunteers from the community. In 1998, Johnson approached the West Milford Board of Education with a design for a pond in the courtyard at Macopin School, created by Mark Lynch, a local landscaper. Johnson also brought the idea to the 1998-1999 Macopin PTA for commitment to funding the project as a gift to the school. Lynch, whose business is Mark Lynch Landscaping and John McAloney, one of his employees at the time, volunteered to build the center. The initial installation, brick pavers and mulch were also donated. Lynch suggested that McAloney, an alumnus of Macopin School and attending college as an Environmental Landscape Design major, revise the design and continue the concept. McAloney presented a revised design that would create an outdoor classroom for Environmental Science and related ecosystems studies to Johnson and the board of education. The 1999-2004 Macopin PTAs donated money for additional items needed and the center became a reality. Over the last 5 years, McAloney’s company, Natural Concepts Landscaping, has continued to help maintain the center. The complete design and purpose of the center may be seen at www.naturalconceptslandscape.com.