Grant will support sustainability education and infrastructure improvements at Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center
LANESBORO, Minn. – June 26, 2025 — Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center has been selected as a recipient of a 2025 POET Community Impact Grant. The $4,000 award will fund upgrades to Eagle Bluff’s on-site composting system, expanding its capacity to manage food waste year-round and deepening hands-on sustainability education for thousands of students who visit the campus each year.
The POET Community Impact Grant program supports local organizations that align with POET’s mission of building a more sustainable future through innovation and community engagement. Eagle Bluff’s project embodies this goal through its dual focus on waste reduction and environmental education.
“We’ve composted on-site for over 20 years,” said Jenna Moon, Education Director at Eagle Bluff. “Thanks to this grant, we can improve our system and gives students a hands-on way to see how their daily choices impact the environment.”
The new system, known as an aerated static pile (ASP) compost system, uses passive or fan-assisted airflow to speed decomposition without requiring manual turning. This allows Eagle Bluff to compost a broader range of materials and function reliably even in Minnesota’s harsh winter conditions. Key features include improved storage for food and carbon-rich materials, weather-resistant covers, and educational signage.
The upgrade supports Eagle Bluff’s FoodWISE (Waste-Inspired Sustainability Education) program. FoodWISE teaches students about the environmental impact of food systems and practical ways to reduce waste. During their overnight Outdoor School visits, students track their food waste, practice composting, and reflect on how their choices affect the planet.
“Composting is more than just a waste solution—it’s a powerful learning opportunity,” said Moon. “Students take pride in helping manage our compost system. It gives them ownership of the sustainability practices they’re learning and a model they can bring home to their own schools.”
Eagle Bluff has seen the ripple effect of this work. Schools such as Caledonia Public Schools and Cotter Schools, have launched food waste reduction initiatives inspired by their visits.
With support from POET, Eagle Bluff will reduce landfill waste, improve compost quality, and create a practical, replicable model of sustainability for other schools and organizations across Minnesota.
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Media Contact
Laura M. Ahmed
Director of Marketing and Communications
Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center
Cell: (507) 884-9577
About Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center
Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Lanesboro, Minnesota. With over 13,000 visitors annually, Eagle Bluff provides transformative outdoor learning experiences for youth, families, and adults, with a mission to empower people to care for the earth and each other. Programs include residential outdoor education field trips via Outdoor School, summer camps, nature preschool, public events, and more. Learn more at www.eaglebluffmn.org.
