Background/Timeline
1982 Arthur Marshall’s good friend, famed Florida environmentalist and Everglades advocate, Marjory Stoneman Douglas, was so impressed with his idea to create a foundation to bring students together with senior scientists on Everglades restoration projects, she gave him $1,500 and her 501(c)3 to get underway. Unfortunately, this didn’t come to fruition before Art’s untimely death in 1985.
1998 After his retirement, Art’s nephew John Arthur Marshall and his wife, Nancy, take up where his uncle left off, creating the Arthur R. Marshall Foundation and Florida Environmental Institute, Inc., following his uncle’s proposal.
2002 The Summer Intern Program for college students is created and graduates its first class. Since then, a total of 43 young people have completed the program.
2005 After humble beginnings in John and Nancy’s condo, the Foundation moves to a small office space on North Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach and hires Josette Kaufman as executive director to help shepherd its continuing growth.
2006 First full-time educator hired.
2011 The Foundation moves to larger headquarters on North Federal Highway in Lake Worth to accommodate its expanding programs, staff, and volunteer base.
Accomplishments/Milestones
The Arthur R. Marshall Foundation is the only non-profit in South Florida offering hands-on learning opportunities in Everglades restoration and preservation.
Restoration Efforts
· 100,000 native trees have been planted in South Florida, including re-forestation of a five-acre area at the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge.
· Close to 4,000 pounds of cypress seeds have been harvested for germination and replanting.
· In 2008, the Marshall Foundation took the fundraising lead for the new Everglades Education Exhibits at the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge and raised $825,000 of the nearly $1,000,000 project cost.
· Hosted statewide 2010 Everglades Coalition Conference.
Everglades Education Programs
· 88% of the Foundation’s annual budget goes directly to education programs.
· 15,000 students reached annually through in-school, after school, summer camp, and programs for groups such as Scouts.
· $400,000 in scholarships and internships have been awarded to students pursuing careers in the environmental sciences and related fields to date.
· 43 graduates of the Summer Intern Program for college students since 2002.
· Annual Student Photography Project and Workshop for underserved kids.
· Participation in teacher workshops and other environmental education forums.
· Coordinated River of Grass Canoe Expeditions in 2010 and 2011.
Community Outreach
· More than 3 million people reached via various programs and events to date.
· Close to 60,000 volunteer hours logged since 2004.
· Partnerships with the Palm Beach County Cultural Council, Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach, Jewish Community Center of the Greater Palm Beaches, Mounts Botanical Garden, Memorial Presbyterian Church, Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach, Ann Norton Sculpture Garden, YWCA, et al for education programs, tree plantings, and other projects.
Major Awards and Recognition
· Everglades Coalition’s George M. Barley Conservation Award
· Permelia Prior Reed Award for Outstanding Service to the Environment
· US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) - Volunteer of the Year Southeast Region
· USFWS Award for Championing the Fundraising for Exhibits at the Refuge
· USFWS Regional Directors Award
· Audubon Society of Everglades Conservation Award
· Florida Wildlife Federation’s Conservationist of the Year Award
· Sierra Club Florida Chapter’s Cypress Award
· Gold Coast PR Council’s Bernays Award - Outstanding Project by Non-profit
· Executive Women of Palm Beaches - Women in Leadership Award
· Florida Association of Environmental Professionals Treasure Coast Chapter’s
Environmental Education Award
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