Program areas at The Willard G Pierce and Jessie M Pierce Foundation
Biological field station programs - in 2023, The institute successfully executed its summer research program. Due to strategic planning, research grants continued to focus on land management and stewardship. Funding was provided for four projects that included seven graduate and undergraduate students. The creative arts program provided funding for ten art and writing students in The exploration of our natural world.
Community environmental education programs - community programs continued to provide youth, family, and adult programming in various formats, including virtual, self- guided, in-person, and hybrid (simultaneous virtual and in-person). The total number of programs offered grew from 302 in 2022 to 360 in 2023. Sixty-six people participated in The trail challenge social hikes, with 44% of participants completing all The hikes. In 2023, we also piloted two self-directed volunteer-led programs: birdhouse brigade (monitoring The institute's bluebird houses) and geocaching gang (maintaining The institute's seven geocaches).
School & group programs - in 2023, The institute continued to partner with hastings area schools, and The focus was mainly on supporting The many new elementary teachers as they learned to teach The science curriculum. Field trips grew from 185 in 2022 to 222 in 2023, with 7,621 student and teacher contacts.
The income represents fees for community ecology and environmental related classes.
The income represents fees from various colleges related to environmental programs.
The income represents charges for developing, writing, and supplying a science currculum for neighboring school systems.
Membership fees