The Bluewater Education Foundation:
How it began
1997
The Bluewater Education Foundation is formed as an arms-length organization to raise money for the IOEES Growth Plan project and more. The Inspired by Nature Campaign, launched in 1998, brought in the funding required to begin building the dormitory building.
The Bluewater Education Foundation and the Bluewater District School Board celebrated the opening of the Lodge (dorm and dining facilities). The first class to stay on site in the new dorm is the grade 6 class from Dufferin Elementary School, with their teacher, Wendy Kipp.
In November of 2007, we celebrated the grand opening of the Bruce Power Environmental Learning Classrooms building, thanks to the generous donation of $500,000 from Bruce Power.
2006-2007
2011
The last of the new buildings to be added to the site, the ES Fox Observatory, was envisioned by the Inspired by Astronomy Campaign in 2011. Through a partnership between the then Bruce County Astronomical Society, the BEF, and the OEC, funds were raised to build a state-of-the-art observatory. The observatory’s completion was a key element in the push to cement the OEC as a dark sky preserve.
A ceremonial ribbon cutting held on Nov. 9 at the newly refurbished Mason House at the Bluewater Outdoor Education Centre (BOEC) in South Bruce Peninsula. In photo from left to right are: Donna Farrow, principal of Amabel-Sauble Community School in Sauble Beach; George Ross, director of the Bluewater Education Foundation; Ron Mottram, president of the Bluewater Education Foundation; Deb Diebel, BOEC site manager; and Ron Motz, Chair of the Bluewater District School Board. Photo by Zoe Kessler/Wiarton Echo
The BEF today
The Bluewater Education Foundation (BEF) is an independent, arm's length, not for profit charitable organization. The BEF works with the Bluewater District School Board (BWDSB) to preserve, maintain, and grow the Bluewater Outdoor Education Centre (OEC).
The BEF consists of nine elected board members. Representatives of the BWDSB and the BEF meet routinely to update one another and discuss matters of mutual interest.
