LANESBORO, MN — October 27, 2026 — Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center was recognized alongside fellow Minnesota residential environmental learning center (RELC) providers during an October 23 celebration hosted by the Minnesota Division of the Izaak Walton League of America.
The providers received the League’s prestigious National Honor Roll Award for their collective contributions to conservation and environmental education, including successful advocacy for Minnesota’s Outdoor School for All legislation.
The recognition grew from nominations submitted independently by Izaak Walton League chapters across Minnesota, each highlighting the impact of different environmental learning centers. Rather than recognize a single organization, the Minnesota Division nominated the providers collectively, emphasizing their decision to collaborate toward shared conservation and education goals.
“Any one of these institutions could merit national recognition. The greater achievement, however, is that they chose to build something larger than themselves,” the League stated in its award nomination.
That collaboration championed Outdoor School for All, signed into law in June 2025. The legislation established Minnesota’s first dedicated state funding program for overnight outdoor education, allocating $848,000 for the 2026–27 biennium to help cover program fees, transportation, and teacher stipends. Funding supports eligible students in grades 4–12 attending public, private, and Tribal schools, as well as homeschool groups.
“Minnesota has a remarkable tradition of outdoor education,” said Eagle Bluff Executive Director Colleen Foehrenbacher. “Eagle Bluff is humbled to be honored alongside the four other Minnesota Outdoor Schools for our collaborative efforts in ensuring that every student, regardless of their background or circumstances, has the opportunity to experience the transformative power of outdoor education.”
In its award letter, the League described Eagle Bluff as a “nationally respected model for residential environmental education,” citing its immersive outdoor learning, ecological science, natural history, and stewardship programs that have inspired thousands of students.
Eagle Bluff is one of five accredited Minnesota Outdoor School providers participating in Outdoor School for All. From its campus near Lanesboro, the nonprofit provides overnight and day-use outdoor education for K–12 students, connecting classroom learning with hands-on experiences in nature.
“Outdoor School for All reflects our shared belief that time spent learning and growing outdoors should be an opportunity available to every Minnesota student,” said Foehrenbacher.
The National Honor Roll Award, one of the League’s highest recognitions for non-members, was presented at its national convention in Bloomington in July 2026. Eagle Bluff Development Director Sara Sturgis and Education Director Jenna Moon represented Eagle Bluff at the October 23 Minnesota celebration, where participating organizations were individually recognized for their contributions to environmental education.
“We’re proud that the Izaak Walton League of America is recognizing the value of giving young people meaningful, hands-on experiences in nature,” said Foehrenbacher. “At Eagle Bluff, we see every day how those experiences can stay with students long after they return home.”
About Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center
Located near Lanesboro, Minnesota, Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people to care for the earth and each other. Through its accredited Outdoor School, Nature Preschool, summer camps, adult education, and community programs, Eagle Bluff provides hands-on experiences that connect people of all ages with the natural world.
Learn more at eaglebluffmn.org.
About the Izaak Walton League of America
Founded in 1922, the Izaak Walton League of America is a national conservation organization dedicated to protecting and restoring America’s natural resources. Its National Honor Roll Award recognizes outstanding conservation, public education, and stewardship accomplishments by individuals and organizations outside the League.
Learn more at iwla.org.
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