$1M gift to Carroll University to support environmental education, research

WAUKESHA -- Carroll University announced on Thursday, February 4th a $1 million gift from Prairie Springs: The Paul Fleckenstein Trust to support environmental education and research. The gift will help fund the creation of the Prairie Springs Environmental Education Center and the Paul Fleckenstein Research Laboratory.

According to a news release, the university purchased the property, which is adjacent to its 60+ acre Greene Field Station in the town of Genesee, in 2012. The gift will help transform an existing outbuilding into the Paul Fleckenstein Research Laboratory, a research facility that will include classroom space, two research laboratories and a specimen-processing laboratory. The property also includes a recently renovated guest house/meeting facility.

In addition to serving Carroll University students, The Prairie Springs Environmental Education Center will be available to area schools and community groups. The university has a close working relationship with the School District of Waukesha and envisions active participation of K-12 students as they explore the ecological resources and environmental impact issues illuminated by the center.