IslandWood
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
IslandWood is a non-profit environmental education[1] organization and event venue on Bainbridge Island, WA. The organization runs programs for students, schools, graduate students, educators, and community members on Bainbridge Island, and in Seattle,[2] Renton, Woodinville,[3] Tacoma, and online. IslandWood hosts weddings, meetings, retreats, and conferences on their 250-acre Bainbridge Island campus & event revenue helps keep their outdoor learning programs financially possible for under-resourced schools in the region. IslandWood's mission is to provide exceptional learning experiences that inspire lifelong environmental and community stewardship.
In 1997, over 1,000 acres (4 km2) of land were being sold on the south end of Bainbridge Island. Local residents Debbi and Paul Brainerd proposed the idea of building a children's outdoor education center;[4] a subsequent feasibility study showed that half of Puget Sound area students did not receive overnight outdoor education programs.[5] The Brainerds purchased 255 acres (1.03 km2) of land for the program,[6] which was founded in 2000.[7] In 2011, IslandWood was selected to lead the education programs at the Brightwater sewage treatment plant.[8]
