Conservation’s environmental education center to break ground spring 2024

Jasper County Conservation is planning to begin construction of the long-awaited environmental education center during the spring of 2024.

Keri Van Zante, director of Jasper County Conservation, said staff is excited to make the project a reality. The conservation board has been discussing this project for well over 30 years. So for it to finally be happening — and to be mostly funded by local donations — is very special, Van Zante said. The nature center will be located on 40 acres of land in the park of the old county care facility.

“We are overwhelmed by the community support for this project, and for all of our other projects and activities,” she said. “Jasper County has shown us that they are conservation supporters over and over, and we can’t be more proud and thankful to be able to provide educational activities and recreational facilities for our wonderful community!”

The first phase of the project is estimated at $2.2 million. It includes the main building with classrooms, laboratory space, offices for staff, a meeting room and an outdoor observation deck. The second and third phases are still being fundraised and will include a maintenance building, public restrooms and a three-season pavilion for outdoor classroom activities and community events.

With a proposed 7,200 square feet of space, the center provides areas for public and staff use. In September 2022, conservation received a large sum of money from the Jasper County Board of Supervisors. The board provided $400,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to conservation. At the time, conservation already had $900,000 raised for the nature center.

Van Zante has stated in the past the facility will provide conservation education and outdoor learning experiences to the public, attract economic development and tourism opportunities, promote conservation and sustainable living through photovoltaic cells, passive solar energy, geothermal and a living roof and fulfill a conservation dream that is more than 30 years in the making.