Environment

The Graduate Residency in Education, Environment and Community at IslandWood (EEC)is located on 255 acres of forest and wetlands on the south end of Bainbridge Island, a 35-minute ferry ride from downtown Seattle and a short distance to the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges.

This wondrous natural setting was the inspiration for the creation of IslandWood. Two years of community input and conversations with more than 1,200 neighbors, teachers, artists, scientists, historians and children contributed to the design and planning of the IslandWood facilities. The cluster of core buildings includes five technologically advanced learning labs, an arts studio, three sleeping lodges, dining hall and great hall. The remaining 240 acres have been left undeveloped for field exploration.

The property’s diverse ecosystems—cattail marsh, bog, four-acre pond, second growth forest, and stream—are linked by over five miles of trails for field activities. Special field structures—a suspension bridge, bird blind, floating classroom and tree house—create hands-on learning opportunities. In addition to its spectacular natural setting, the property has a rich history, steeped in the culture of Coastal Salish Native American, Japanese American, Filipino American and European American communities - which provides a rich content for the integrated curriculum.

The IslandWood campus is a model of sustainable architecture, integrating recycled materials, passive and active solar design, and innovative water collection and re-use. In fact, the buildings themselves serve as learning opportunities, helping students experience the science of solar, wind and hydroelectric energy production.