Belwin Conservancy partnership proposed for K–5 environmental field trips starting in 2025–26

Mark (district staff) updated the board on a proposed partnership with Belwin Conservancy to provide environmental education field trips for Stillwater Area Public Schools elementary students. The district is planning a phased launch in 2025–26 that would begin with third, fourth and fifth grades and expand to K–5 in future years as staffing and scheduling allow.

Mark said Belwin’s new building includes two large classroom areas and that Belwin plans to hire two naturalists to lead on-site instruction. District staff proposed using Belwin’s established curriculum (similar to the St. Paul Public Schools model) and augmenting it with pre‑visit lessons delivered by Belwin naturalists and coordination with the district’s science specialists. "All third, fourth, and fifth grade students will have an experience out at Belwin," Mark said.

Why it matters: The proposal would give large portions of the district’s elementary student population a full-day, on-site nature experience tied to state science standards. The partnership aligns with district strategic priorities to expand environmental education and is funded in part through priority-based budgeting; earlier budget materials cited a high-end estimate of $125,000 if the program served all students every day, but Mark said a scaled-back first year will cost less.

Logistics: Presenters described a rotation model whereby each classroom would take a scheduled day at Belwin; classes would be split so each naturalist works with half the students at a time. Belwin would employ the naturalists and the district would pay Belwin for that on-site instruction. The district plans pre-teaching visits by the naturalists the week of Sept. 22 and to begin on-site visits the following week.

Accessibility and supports: Belwin’s classrooms include a calm room, storage for extra winter clothing, and an adult-size electric changing table to support students with special needs. The district said the plan will include students from special programs, such as GATE and Amigos Unidos: "Every third, every fourth, every fifth grade. It doesn't matter what building you're at," Mark said.

Timeline and staffing: Belwin had not finalized naturalist hires at the time of the presentation; the district and Belwin plan a more limited rollout in year one to allow Belwin to hire and train staff and for the district to integrate the experience into its curriculum and transportation schedule. Board members suggested a board retreat or study session at Belwin to see the facility and programming.

Evaluation: Board members asked whether the district could survey students and families after visits to gather feedback; Mark said that is possible and welcomed student and family voice in future planning.

Next steps: District staff will finalize schedules, confirm budgets once Belwin staff are hired, and return to the board with a more detailed implementation plan. Staff said they expect the partnership to scale to K–5 once systems are fully in place.