The W. Alton Jones Campus has been a local resource for 55 years. Each year, the Environmental Education Center hosts up to 1900 summer campers and 70 groups during the school year. Nestled in 2300 acres of forests and wetlands, they provide excellent outdoor experiences for children in an increasingly digital world. 

The University of Rhode Island has made the short-sighted decision to permanently close Alton Jones. A university spokesperson falsely claimed the camp "has been struggling financially for years". Alton Jones runs as a business, and has not had a deficit since 2012. While the pandemic has resulted in some financial challenges, this is true for many businesses during the pandemic and it shouldn't mean permanent closure of a beloved institiution.

No one at Alton Jones was consulted or notified in advance. As a result of this sudden decision, educators will lose their jobs. Families will lose their summer childcare. In the long-term, Rhode Island will lose one of the largest, longest-run environmental education operations in the state. The ripple effect from this loss is incalculable.

During this pandemic, experts have warned us that human impacts on the environment may make future pandemics more likely. Climate Change is another significant threat to the health and economic resilience of Rhode Islanders. Our state should be prioritizing environmental education. We cannot afford to lose resources that help children learn, explore, and equip themselves as conservationists in the 21st Century. 

If you believe in Alton Jones, and its 55-year history of high-quality outdoor education, make your voice heard. Sign this petition and please share!