(10) The Osprey Center: Exploring how to Sustain a Nature Center

This capstone project explores how to successfully sustain a nature center with an environmental education program. This is done using Grace Point Camp and Retreat Center as a case study, with the goal of having a simplified... [ view full abstract ]

This capstone project explores how to successfully sustain a nature center with an environmental education program. This is done using Grace Point Camp and Retreat Center as a case study, with the goal of having a simplified report to give to the Rev. Brad Jones, the Executive Director of Grace Point Camp and Retreat Center, so the findings can be implemented in the years to come. Sustainability in this case especially focuses on the economic portion of sustainability since this is where help is needed at Grace Point. This was done by researching grants, other nature centers, and subsidies offered by various entities, along with mindful consideration of how various types of support, both monetary and other, will fit in with the mission statement of Grace Point and the Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee. This study found that for Grace Point, it would be best to focus on a grant and donation-based system for the nature center rather than running it like a traditional nature center with admission fees and memberships. This is primarily because of the missions of the Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee and Grace Point, along with the resources, especially the staff, currently available.