For 50 years, ACES has been educating for environmental responsibility. In the next 50 years, ACES will build a community of ecologically literate citizens. Because of the impact of our work, children, parents, decision-makers, and consumers can make ecologically informed choices in an increasingly complex world. ACES has launched a $12.5 million capital campaign to enhance our work today and benefit future generations. There are three pillars of our work that you can help broaden and elevate: Education, Community Building, and Protection & Restoration.
Education
Through our 50th anniversary capital campaign and your support, ACES will become a beacon of science-based environmental leadership and education for all ages, creating a deeper connection between humans and the natural world.
As ACES moves forward , we are guided by the following strategic goals that will benefit more people and our natural world:
- Our inclusive culture of place-based education will cultivate community consciousness and environmental stewardship on a local, state, and national level.
- We will advance our mission beyond our physical boundaries and into more underserved communities and schools.
- We will contribute to a national agenda for increased environmental science education while retaining our core values.
Community Building
Along with many of our supporters, at ACES we believe that a deep, informed connection with nature leads to a healthier earth, lives of meaning and purpose, and communities of harmony and strength.
We aim to improve the visitor experience at all ACES sites so that we can provide an unparalleled educational encounter that establishes each site as a unique facility. Each place serves as a community destination. They also are locations to learn about nature, agriculture, renewable energy sources and to simply enjoy the outdoors.
Protection & Restoration
Over the next 50 years, ACES will strive to restore natural habitats throughout our region to benefit as many visitors and residents as we can.
We aim to serve as a model for restoration efforts, ecological health, and outdoor community classrooms.
Through this work, ACES will provide cutting-edge, science-based information to the public. This will include the state of our forests and ecosystem health through on-the-ground restoration, sharing data, and partnerships with local and national organizations..
