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Jeffers Foundation History
Jeffers Foundation was formed in March 2005 for the following purpose: “…to provide for direct primary education and the development of primary education principles, models, and curricula aimed at teaching young persons the value of wise stewardship of natural resources, the need to maintain a balance between population and the resources available to sustain and nourish it, and the means and methods which will ensure conservation and preservation of natural resources for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.”
Jeffers Foundation is engaged in a variety of activities aimed at fulfilling its primary directives. Perhaps chief among many is the joint venture with the Prior Lake/Savage Area School District where we have been supportive of Teacher and administrative efforts to develop an environmental education program in the District. This program, originally based at the Five Hawks Elementary School, and then transferred to the Jeffers Pond Elementary School, boasts an Environmental Education Coordinator and a Naturalist both working fulltime with staff to develop environmental education curricula that correlates with and includes State Academic Standards in science and other academic areas. Jeffers hopes that teachers are more likely to teach environmental education if they know it will help improve student achievement and satisfy State standards not only in science but in reading, math, writing and other subjects as well. This partnership has been very productive. It started with basically one or two teachers in one or two schools and has now achieved “strategic plan” status with regular programs in all District elementary schools.
Jeffers Foundation’s first Grant in Spring of 2005, went to Five Hawks Elementary School to make possible an all-school “Big Splash” water festival in the fall of that year. This was a highly successful project that was well received by all involved. A professionally produced DVD of this event is available from Jeffers Foundation free of charge. Since that first grant, Jeffers has offered and awarded many grants through a Partnership Grant Program, administered by Jeffers Director Dar Fosse. In addition, Jeffers has sponsored and supported successful enterprises with a number of Community Education programs, residential environmental learning centers, individual elementary schools, civic organizations, the College of St. Catherine and The University of Minnesota Morris.
Jeffers Foundation is aggressively seeking islands of natural beauty in the midst developed areas which can be set aside for educational purposes and public enjoyment. In addition to the Jeffers Pond property, Jeffers is facilitating conservation easements on property at Five Hawks Elementary School in Prior Lake and McColl Pond and Red Tail Ridge, both in Savage, MN.