by Kristen Egan, Development Manager
Barbara and Jim Summers have embraced The Wetlands Institute’s mantra of “we make no small plans”. This mantra and vision for the future has inspired their transformative support over many years to the Institute – support that makes bigger plans possible.
While spending many summers together in Avalon and Stone Harbor, Barbara enjoyed bringing their grandchildren to TWI and was impressed with the educational experience they received. Since then, Barbara and Jim have been catalysts for giving back with their time and talent, while providing foundational financial support to build a dedicated team to help carry our vision forward. Through Barbara’s deepening involvement with us as a volunteer and board member, Jim became inspired by the Institute’s direction and provided strategic financial guidance to strengthen us.
Supporting The Wetlands Institute provides the opportunity to impact three areas at the heart of Barbara and Jim’s philanthropy – education, environmental conservation, and research. Even more powerful is the way they have connected their philanthropic passions. Through their support and leadership at Cornerstone Christian Academy and Susquehanna University, they have linked students at these institutions to TWI, expanding our reach in educating students on the value of the wetlands and coastal ecosystems. “We are gratified by helping and seeing students’ progress. It is really meaningful to us,” they said.
The Summers’s contribution to the endowment campaign underpins our efforts to provide a more robust internship program and broadens our efforts in environmental education and research, while their support of educational scholarship programs makes learning accessible to underserved schools. Barbara and Jim currently reside in Florida with their dog Bentley and look forward to returning to Avalon this summer to reconnect with their daughters and grandchildren. We look forward to seeing them too!
Barbara and Jim Summers Environmental Education Scholarship Fund
The Wetlands Institute is happy to announce an open application period for schools to apply to receive all-expenses-paid scholarships to participate in either virtual or in-person field trip programs with The Wetlands Institute this spring or autumn 2021.
Eligibility for the scholarship program is open to all schools, nationwide, who demonstrate a high financial and/or student need, with schools in Cape May, Cumberland, Salem, Gloucester, Camden, Atlantic, Burlington, and Ocean Counties receiving priority.
Apply today! Applications and complete eligibility information available on our website.