Welcome

Connecting children with nature is important.
So is making sure schools have the support they need to make outdoor learning happen.

This website showcases one rural community's success in providing nature-based learning for more than 120 K-12 classrooms (in three school divisions) each year.

The purpose of our NEST website is to
  • model what's possible when partners work together.
  • build opportunities for NEST teachers to deepen and share their nature-based practices. 
  • inspire support for Project NEST both within our community and beyond.
Thank you for visiting our website . . . now get outdoors!
The NEST Mission
​
To raise a generation 
  of young citizens

who have the knowledge,
skills, and
motivation

​to care for the earth --
our home.
​

NEST News

March 2017
We commence our busy spring programming. 

Boxerwood wins a grant to participate in a new national pilot program to bring high-quality STEM experiences to after school students in 21st Century Community Learning Centers. Our proposed program is called SPLASH! (Students Pursuing Learning and Adventure through STEM Happenings!). We'll be partnering with after school programs at Maury River Middle School (Rockbridge CPS) and Big Island Elementary School (Bedford CPS) this spring. Our project is funded by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation in partnership with US NOAA/B-WET and the US Department of Education.

February 2017
120, 4th graders at Fairfield, Waddell, and Central begin their training as tree stewards as part of the Growing Native program, a project of the Cacapon Institute in partnership with local schools, Boxerwood and Rockbridge 4-H. 

January 2017
The Mohawk Carpet Foundation invests in NEST for a second year with a pledged gift of $2,500.

The Rockbridge United Way takes a new initiative to help underwrite our 2017 early education programming with a gift of $2,000.

Local business owner Jeff Pufahl of Computer Doctor takes steps as a visionary leader to underwrite NEST programming this year for Fairfield Elementary School!

November 2016
We conclude our fall programming, to reboot in March.

October 2016
The Commonwealth of Virginia recognizes six NEST schools as "Virginia Naturally Schools," an honor granted to only 66 schools state-wide. Congratulations to Kling ES (1 year recognition), Enderly Heights ES (4 years), Central ES (5 years), Natural Bridge ES (2 years), Maury River MS (2 years) and Mountain View ES (3 years).

5 science teachers from MRMS present at the Virginia Naturally Conference in Williamsburg. The team shared highlights of their 3-grade integrated project with an audience of educators and funders from around the state.

September 2016
Private donors contribute more than $8,000 to our annual NEST Schools Scholarship Fund to help provide program subsidies for classrooms in need: we leave no child behind!

We commence our fall season with programs at Boxerwood and by local creeks and rivers.

72, 7th graders investigate estuarine ecosystems during a 3-day trip to islands in the Chesapeake Bay. The students belong to Bay Clubs at MRMS, LDMS, and PMHS. They will be planning conservation projects back in Rockbridge to help save the Bay!
PictureAdios Amigos! 7th graders bid farewell to their native brook trout (in cups) prior to release on Earth Day. The students raised the trout from eggs.


​
Project NEST is a program of Boxerwood Education Association,
a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization (963 Ross Road, Lexington, VA 24450),
in collaboration with local school divisions and community partners.
More information contact education@boxerwood.org.