“Must we always teach our children with books? Let them look at the mountains and the stars up above. Let them look at the beauty of the waters and the trees and flowers on earth. They will then begin to think, and to think is the beginning of a real education.” David Polis
Studies have shown that students who are exposed to natural settings and are involved in hands-on community-based projects experience higher achievement, less behavioral problems and increased motivation for learning. Outdoor 
learning promotes natural resource stewardship and encourages students to be responsible for the world around them. Resolving an environmental conflict requires understanding of many subject areas; students are able to explore real-world problems that do not always have an easy solution. These experiences engage students and provide a deeper meaning to the material covered in classrooms.
Younger students within Greenville County are already exploring this field of study through programs offered by Roper Mountain Science Center and Paris Mountain State Park. While these programs offer excellent opportunities for elementary school students to investigate outdoor environments, more advanced resources for environmental studies are not readily available at this time. The Conestee Foundation believes that Lake Conestee Nature Park would be an ideal setting for middle and high school students to continue to expand their knowledge and experience with the environment.
In fact, the Conestee Foundation participated in a very successful study through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Environmental Education Grants Program during the 2001-2002 school year. Thanks to funding from the EPA and assistance from North Wind, Inc., the Conestee Foundation was a
ble to develop interdisciplinary lessons about Lake Conestee and train science teachers from all 14 high schools in the district. Most of those teachers were then able to take their students to Lake Conestee for at least one field trip and associated lab work. This program was an excellent complement to the current science curriculum, and the Foundation would like to pursue similar projects for local schools to participate in.
In an effort to provide more environmental education opportunities for Greenville County students, the Foundation has begun collaborating with local teachers to develop appropriate lessons. Several middle and high school teachers are interested in creating research projects involving water quality monitoring, macroinvertebrate studies, and even a peer tutoring network. In addition to these projects, the Foundation is hoping to establish an Education Committee that will be responsible for designing programs that best utilize the resources available at Lake Conestee Nature Park. The Foundation has high hopes for the educational aspects of the park, so be sure to watch for more details as the programs evolve!
Phase I
Phase II
Phase III