Food activists rap Mystic nature center for accepting $5,000 donation from seed giant Monsanto

A $5,000 donation from seed giant Monsanto Co. to a nature center in Mystic has drawn criticism from activists who oppose genetically modified food.

The Day of New London reports (http://bit.ly/1nDXzm2 ) that Bob Burns, an organic farmer who leads a New London effort against genetically-modified organisms, says he's suspicious of why Monsanto is donating money.

Activists worry that Monsanto is using the nature center to improve its image on environmental issues.

Maggie Jones, the nature center's executive director, says the money was donated without conditions and will help fund an educational program for first-graders about bees, butterflies and bats.

Harry White, a volunteer fundraiser for the nature center, says it needs to reach a broader audience and find more funding sources. He says the Monsanto donation is a small fraction of annual funding.

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Information from: The Day, http://www.theday.com