Construction of the donor wall that will go up in the new Dana King Ceretti Environmental Education Center on the east edge of Newton is about to begin. It will include the names of individuals and businesses that have made significant financial contributions to the 7,200-square-foot, $2.9 million building that will house offices for the Jasper County Conservation Department and have classrooms for educational programs. Jasper County Conservation Department Naturalist Greg Oldsen says to get on the donor wall, a qualifying donation must be made before July 1st. He adds the wall will be a piece of art.

“We are partnering up with a local artist who is going to put the donor wall together for us. It’s going to be an epoxy pour with a couple of wood slabs that she will incorporate into it. So it will be an art piece.”

According to Oldsen, the goal is for the donor wall to be completed by the time the Environmental Education Center opens later this year. There are eight donor levels according to Oldsen. They start at $1,000 and top out at $300,000 and above. For more information, contact the Jasper County Conservation Department at 641-792-9780 or send an email to kvanzante@jasperia.org