Children was the theme of a groundbreaking yesterday afternoon at the site of what will be the Jasper County Environmental Education Center Project. The 7,200-square-foot $2.9 million building will house offices for the County Conservation Department and have classrooms for educational programs. Carol Kramer, the longest serving member on the County Conservation Board, said she’s been dreaming about this project since the mid 1980’s, because of what it means for kids.

“Who will be able to come out here and use this nature center for a long time. So I am most proud and happy to have this shovel, so we can start digging and building.”

The Jasper County Conservation Board still needs to raise $300,000 to $400,000 to keep everything in the design they want. A $100,000 Challenge Grant from Jeff and Jodi King, owners of Keystone Laboratories in Newton, would cover a good portion of that, if reached. Jeff King and his wife will match that $100,000 in honor of their late daughter Dana King Ceretti. She died of cystic fibrosis in December 2009. King also noted the children at the groundbreaking. He said his daughter was always concerned about conservation and what could be done to make the world better.

“Too see the kids over here, that’s who we are building this for. The next generation that can take care of the land.”

Jasper County Conservation Director Keri Van Zante says groundwork at the site will begin in the next week or two.