Boone County’s nature school will be accessible to all fifth-graders in the county

The Columbia community is close to raising its goal of $1.5 million for the 111-acre Boone County Nature School. The school involves a partnership between Columbia Public Schools (CPS) and the state Department of Conservation.

Columbia’s school board heard a presentation on the finances for the nature school at Monday night’s meeting. Construction on the project is set to begin this summer. The community has raised 93 percent of its $1.5 million fundraising goal.

CPS has committed $2 million for the school’s construction, while the Missouri Department of Conservation has committed $1 million for design and land development.

The nature school will be accessible to all fifth-graders in Boone County, and the land was donated by Hank and Vicki Waters.

CPS’ Michelle Baumstark tells 939 the Eagle that the school’s pavilion was recently completed, and that they’re working toward construction of the larger portions of the project this summer.