Conservation Education Inc (CEI) is an independent non-profit organization formed in 1954 to promote conservation through education.

Today, CEI acts as the Friends Group of the Collins Marsh Wildlife Refuge and
serves many different functions regarding Collins Marsh and the Nature Center.

Our History

In 1954, a group of people met in the Rathskeller of the Rahr Malting Co. and decided to form an organization to promote conservation through education. Conservation Education Inc. (CEI) was formed, officers were elected, and an educational workshop was created. The theme of that first workshop was “Today’s Conservation is Tomorrow’s Preservation.”

In 1969, the board purchased a 110 ft. forestry tower near Channing Michigan. The tower was reconstructed on site and is dedicated to James Koeppel and R.D. Peters for their work in obtaining and erecting the tower, now a famous landmark.

In 2016, CEI officially became a Friends Group to Collins Marsh, making the marsh the central focus of the group’s efforts. As part of that focus was the building of a new nature center, completed in 2019, to enhance the experience at the marsh.

Today, the Friends group serves many different functions regarding Collins Marsh and the Neustadter Nature Center. We are very proud of our history, education initiatives such as our osprey camera project and our education workshops. We are focused on creating a network of conservation minded citizens as well as leading local efforts to control invasive species.

Our Mission

To foster an awareness, enjoyment, and appreciation of the natural environment by promoting conservation practices that make responsible citizens for a quality environment. The group sponsors and supports volunteer conservation and environmental services, as well as, educational activities that contribute to the preservation and conservation of the Collins Marsh Wildlife Area.

CEI Executive Board

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