Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center, Inc.
Discover what's in your nature!
Mission
To empower people to care for the earth and each other.
Notes from the nonprofit
Accredited by AdvanceEd / NCA, Member of Association of Challenge Course Technology, Member of Association of Nature Center Administrators.
Ruling year
1982
Executive Director
Colleen K Foehrenbacher
Main address
28097 Goodview Dr
Lanesboro, MN 55949 USA
Formerly known as
Forest Resource Center
EIN
41-1431959
NTEE code
Educational Services and Schools - Other (B90)
Environmental Education and Outdoor Survival Programs (C60)
Natural Resource Conservation and Protection (C30)
IRS filing requirement
This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Sign in or create an account to view Form(s) 990 for 2019, 2018 and 2017.
Register now
Communication
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
The disconnect between people and the environment. Giving people a positive outdoor experience so they can become stewards of the environment.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Outdoor School
Schools participating in our residential program stay at our center from one to five days/nights and choose classes designed to meet academic standards and complement classroom curriculum. All of our classes and activities are aligned with the Minnesota State Academic Standards targeted at 5th - 8th grade. Classes are taught by a team of professional educators, certified teachers, and highly skilled environmental education Fellows. Eagle Bluff's residential program provides students in-depth, hands-on experiences in:
Ecology
Nature Identification
Earth and Physical Science
History and People
Outdoor Adventure/Recreation
Challenge Skills
Art and Nature
Sustainability
As Participants in our residential program, guests also participate in conservations practices through these programs:
Eagle Eye Award: Encourages every school to conserve natural resources by eliminating wasted water, electricity, energy and by correctly recycling all necessary refuse. Eagle Bluff staff checks dorm rooms daily and groups with remaining energy points receive the Eagle Eye Award to take back to their school.
FoodWISE: Encourages every school to work at minimizing food waste and promote positive portion control. Schools that remain below the allotted food waste threshold are added to our Golden Clean-plate Hall of Fame displayed in our Dining Hall.
Adult Education
Eagle Bluff's Adult Education program focuses on meeting the needs of life-long learners who seek to better care for the land and their students/co-workers. We a J-term experience for college students and a variety of outdoor recreation classes. Each winter we also host a speaker series paired with dinner on our campus.
Summer Camps
Eagle Bluff is home to a multitude of unique and adventurous summer camps for kids entering grades 3 through 11. Each camp allows the campers to experience the best of Eagle Bluff's adventure activities on our high ropes courses and at the archery range. Each camp has a distinct theme which allows the kids to explore and immerse themselves in a new focus area of their choosing. From learning to handle raptors to discovering what it's like to sleep outdoors in their own shelter, Eagle Bluff campers gain new skills, build their self-confidence, and foster their relationship with the natural world.
Environmental Education Fellowship
The 12 month Fellowship is aimed at college graduates wishing to develop comprehensive skills and expertise as environmental educators. Participants have the option to earn a post-graduate certificate in Environmental Education from Hamline University as well as a Certified Interpretive Guide designation from the National Association for Interpretation. While living in campus, Fellows serve as the primary educators for our Outdoor School and Summer Camp programs.
Dinners on the Bluff
Evenings full of great food and enlightened conversation. Noted speakers and presenters from throughout the country kick off the evening with an engaging presentation related to sustainability or natural history followed by a delicioust meal.
Recreation Activities: Hiking, Birding, Geocaching, XC Skiing and HIgh Ropes Course
We offer miles of trails to explore and recreate on as well as a few select guided activities for visitors to the area.
Nature Preschool
Our nature preschool partners with Fillmore County Head Start program with the goal of providing children ages 3-5 with a kindergarten readiness program which uses environmental education to support the development of the whole child.
We aim to open enrollment for non-Head Start preschoolers beginning in the fall of 2021. If you have questions about our nature preschool program, please contact: [email protected] To be the first to know about events related to the nature preschool, sign up for email alerts below!
Where we work
Accreditations
North Central Association of Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement - Accreditation 2017
External reviews
Photos
Videos
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
1. Promote positive outdoor experiences / 2. Spark curiosity and appreciation for the natural world / 3. Foster a sense of respect, stewardship and community / 4. Impart life skills such as teamwork and problem solving / 5. Increase environmental & academic literacy
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
-Getting to know Students by Name
-Following the 4 Respects: yourself, others, equipment and the environment.
-Participating in Collaborative Work
-Encouraging Safe Risk-taking
-Engaging Directly With Nature through Hands-on Activities
-Thinking Like a Scientist
-Learning Through Discussions
-Utilizing the Learning Cycle Model - Incorporating MN State Academic standards and STEM principles when possible.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Our classes are hands-on. Students learn about tree identification by going into the forest to identify trees. They learn about water quality by standing in the water and taking samples, running tests and analyzing results. Each class makes a lasting impression on the student because they are taking an active part in learning. Also, because our students stay with us 3-5 days at a time, they spend a lot of time with classmates they may not normally socialize with. They may see a classmate they barely know succeed on the Tree Tops Class and celebrate that victory with them. They learn to respect themselves and others. A trait that will serve them well as they grow.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
We have sent over 150 well-trained environmental educators into the field. Over 500,000 students have participated in our Residential School Program. We have been commended by AdvancEd / NCA for our powerful practices.
Financials
Unlock nonprofit financial insights that will help you make more informed decisions. Try our monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights?
Learn more
about GuideStar Pro.
Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center, Inc.
Board of directorsas of 1/8/2021
Ian Scheerer
Wells Fargo Financial Services
Term: 2018 - 2022
Bethany Krom
Mayo Clinic Emeritus
Ian Scheerer
Wells Fargo
Natasha Yates
St. Catherine University
Charles Brown
Brownseed Genetics LLC
Lynn Brown
Horton Holding, Inc.
Richard Nethercut
Nethercut Law
Katie Halvorson
Winona Cotter Schools
Susan Benysh
Mayo Clinic
Darrin Herrara
IBM
Austin Bauer
Northfield Healthy Community Initiative
Dennis Schreiber
AmeriCorps MN Reading Corps Tutor
Jeff Burns
retired from Kahler
John Broadwater
Retired School Administrator
Jessica Schuler
MN DNR
Jessica Voss-Kehl
3M, Women’s Industry Network
Mike Rapatz
Retired Hasting Middle School Teacher
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
-
Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? GuideStar partnered on this section with CHANGE Philanthropy and Equity in the Center.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
No data
Gender identity
No data
No data
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data
Thanks for signing up!
An email has been sent to the address you provided. Click on the link in that email to get more GuideStar Nonprofit Profile data today!
(Don't see an email in your inbox? Click here to resend it.)
GuideStar Pro Reports
Report successfully added to your cart!
Want more data?
A GuideStar Pro report containing the following information is available for this organization:
- Email contact information
- Financial trends metrics for five most recent years 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015*
- Financial statements for 2019, 2017, 2014, 2013
- Letter of Determination
- Officer and/or Employee data for 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015
- Contractor and/or Paid Preparer data for 2019, 2018, 2017
- Board of Directors data for 2021
- *with the ability to download the data for 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015
Download it now for $125.
Need the ability to download nonprofit data and more advanced search options?Consider a Pro Search subscription.