WAYNESBORO—The Institute recently received a $15,000 donation from the M&T Charitable Foundation.
“We are grateful for this generous support,” said Tracy Holliday, Institute executive director. “Ten thousand dollars will go toward our Ensuring the Future capital campaign to create our new nature center, bringing M&T’s support of the campaign to twenty thousand dollars.”
The remaining funds will underwrite The Institute’s fifth-grade program, Civil War: The Battle at Monterey Pass, and support the maintenance of the historic garden adjacent to Monterey Pass Battlefield Museum, as well as The Institute’s Garden Talk programs.
“On behalf of the M&T Charitable Foundation we are proud to support The Institute’s efforts to create their new nature center, and be a part of the programming at Monterey Pass,” said Andy Everetts, M&T vice president. “Both the nature center and The Institute’s commitment to providing educational programming will serve to improve the community for generations to come.”
During the Monterey Pass program, students get an overview of the Civil War as well as the battle that took place at night along the Mason-Dixon Line in July 1863. They also tour the museum and experience hands-on activities to learn about the lives of Civil War soldiers.
Seasonal garden talks are held in the Civil War era inspired garden. Created by The Institute in partnership with the Friends of the Battle of Monterey Pass, the garden features herbs and medicinal plants, and serves as a learning hub for people of all ages. The garden talks are free and open to the public.
A nonprofit organization, The Institute provides programming in environmental education and cultural history for area school children, plus workshops, lectures, programs and community events for people of all ages.
The Institute purchased a 40-acre rural property in Washington Township and work is underway to create a nature education center for both students and the greater Waynesboro community.
