Press Release

February 11, 2008

Contact: Molly Brumley Hogger (206) 838-0314

IslandWood Announces Campaign to Expand Campus, Plans to Serve 1,000 More Puget Sound School Children

Local Companies and Foundations Lend Support to $8 Million Effort

(Bainbridge Island, WA) After just five years in operation, IslandWood announced plans to expand its campus and serve more of the region’s most under-resourced schools. The organization, a 255-acre environmental learning center located on Bainbridge Island, has launched an $8 million capital campaign to pay for the expansion.

The effort has already generated support from several prominent Northwest organizations, including $500,000 gifts from the Boeing Company and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

“Demand for our school programs is greater than we anticipated and continues to increase. In fact, our three sleeping lodges are consistently full,” said Ben Klasky, executive director of IslandWood. “We’re excited to announce this major new effort to expand our campus and give more local kids an amazing educational experience.”

IslandWood’s flagship School Overnight Program serves more than 3,000 Puget Sound-area school children annually, primarily fourth and fifth graders. The unique curriculum, which supports Washington State learning goals, integrates scientific inquiry, technology and the arts to help students with a range of learning styles understand cultural and biological diversity.

Through the campus expansion project, IslandWood will add another sleeping lodge and classroom, as well as build additional graduate-student housing and make other campus enhancements. To date the campaign has raised more than $6 million, mostly from local foundations, companies and a few private individuals.

“It takes knowledge and action to improve our environment and that's why Boeing is such an enthusiastic supporter of IslandWood. The hands-on curriculum and inspiring campus get the kids engaged in, and excited about, science,“ said Mary Armstrong, Vice President of Environment, Health and Safety, the Boeing Company. “By supporting IslandWood, we know we are helping prepare our region's next generation of scientists and stewards.“

IslandWood’s School Overnight Program is committed to serving the region’s most economically-challenged schools, with more than half of participating students coming from schools with high rates of free-and reduced-lunch.

“For many of the students we serve, their time at IslandWood is their first time in nature – it’s truly incredible to see the kind of learning that takes place when these kids get the chance to experience the outdoors first hand, rather than just read about it in textbooks,” added Klasky.

In addition to programs for local schools, IslandWood also offers a graduate education program in partnership with the University of Washington, a leadership program for local organizations, and community programs for adults, children and families.

IslandWood recently launched the public phase of the campaign at an event on February 2, 2008. For more information about IslandWood’s capital campaign and campus expansion project, please visit www.islandwood.org/capitalcampaign.http://www.islandwood.org/capitalcampaign

About IslandWood
Located on Bainbridge Island, WA, IslandWood is a unique 255-acre outdoor learning center designed to provide exceptional learning experiences and inspire lifelong environmental and community stewardship.  Through its flagship School Overnight Program, IslandWood’s experienced teaching naturalists and educators combine scientific inquiry, technology and the arts to help Puget Sound-area students understand cultural and biological diversity.  IslandWood also offers community programs for adults, children and families; volunteer opportunities; a speaker's series and other community events open to the public. For more information visit www.islandwood.com

About the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people’s health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people—especially those with the fewest resources—have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, the foundation is led by CEO Patty Stonesifer and co-chair William H. Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett.

About the Boeing Company
The Boeing Company's support in Washington state underscores our philosophy that the true quality of a company is measured not only by the integrity of its products and services, but also by the strength of its partnerships with the larger community. Each year, Boeing, its employees and retirees contribute on average more than $40 million to support a wide range of charitable, environmental, civic, educational, arts and social service programs that help make the communities we call home even better places to live.