Jack Miner Foundation gets grant for programs

The Jack Miner Migratory Bird Foundation has received a $10,000 grant from the Windsor Essex Community Foundation toward their educational programs.

On Thursday, November 16, Foundation Executive Director Tom Coke and Director of Education and Community Engagement, Matthew Olewski, met with W-E Community Foundation’ Community Investments Coordinator Ajsela Murselovic.

Ajsela was at the sanctuary to speak with Coke and Olewski about the programs and learn about the grounds.

The pair took her on a tour of the grounds, including the Learning Centre, the Stadium, museum and of course the famous waterfowl pond.

Olewski said that they’ve welcomed about 1,000 students (K-8) since school began in September and had welcomed about the same amount last spring.

The Learning Centre and stadium give students an opportunity to learn hands-on about conservation and the relationship between water, animals and plants.

The educational programs at Jack Miner are curriculum-based and line up with what is being taught in science class.

The grant will go toward expanding the programs even further to include high school kids in the near future.

Murselovic was thrilled with the tour and even took her turn at hand-feeding some Canada Geese.

“This is amazing,” she said. “For the kids to be able to learn like this, is great.”

The WindsorEssex Community Foundation (WECF), originally founded in 1983 as Heritage Windsor, is a perpetual community trust for philanthropic purposes, and is a charitable organization dedicated to improving communities across Windsor-Essex County through collaboration, strategic leadership, and innovative solutions to charitable giving.