JBS 2.0

Pledge to Sustain our Future   

The John Bunker Sands Wetland Center completed its capital campaign and raised $650,000 to expand our facilities by the fall of 2021. Our new facilities will be completed for the 2021/2022 school year. This summer we will hire new educators and update our curriculum to welcome back up to 120 students each day. We need your support to sustain our Educators to provide the best possible conservation programs.  

Please pledge to sustain our future to increase conservation literacy of water, wetlands and wildlife. in North Texas region.  Enter your name and contact information at the end of this message and the Director will reach out to discuss your financial pledge for the Wetland Center. 

Facility Expansion and Green Building Targets

We have engaged with Good Fulton and Ferrell (GFF Architects), the original architect of the Center, to design our expansion to blend in with the current facilities and occupy the least amount of land while doubling visitor capacity.

Our 5,700-foot expansion will include:

• 2 enclosed smart technology classrooms, totaling 1,400 square feet
• 1 enclosed restroom/storage structure, totaling 700 square feet
• 1 flexible outdoor amphitheater and terrace, totaling 2,500 square feet
• 1 flexible outdoor stage/classroom, totaling 900 square feet

Green Building Components:

• Low emissivity double-pane windows to reduce energy consumption
• Operable windows to allow fresh air during the spring and summer months
• Low-water consumption plumbing fixtures, 1.3-gallon flush, motion-sensitive sinks
• HVAC equipment with SEER rating of 15 or higher
• Separate HVAC controls for group adjustments in each new enclosed space
• Use of prefabricated grain silos for classrooms and restroom to reduce building expense and blend into historic uses of ranch/wetland
• Shading at the silo classrooms’ south and west exposures to limit summer exposure and maximize winter exposure
• Drought tolerant native landscaping
• Sanitary discharge treatment and dispersal back into surrounding landscape
• Bio-swale positioning around parking area to reduce storm runoff

Green Building Targets:

• Social spacing, CDC guidelines, staff/volunteers/teachers safety training
• Post-COVID Student Numbers – 120 students a day – 10,000 students per year
• Special event and wedding rentals available in fall 2021
• 10 additional volunteers recruited and trained by March 2022 for increased visitors

Sustaining Our Future: 

• New Educators will be hired for fall 2022 and programs curriculum will be updated to provide more impactful conservation programs in the coming years
• New partners for Conservation Efforts with American Bald Eagles
• New research in the East Fork Water Reuse Project and  the Impact of Students learning at the Wetland Center