Building the Next Generation of “Water Warriors”

“The Hulston Family Foundation’s dedication to the environment and their desire to educate our youth fall right in line with our mission of improving and protecting water quality. Through their support, families and children throughout the Ozarks enjoy the opportunity to partake in stream cleanups, learn about our aquatic communities and develop a greater understanding of their role in protecting our natural resources. We sincerely appreciate the Foundation’s support and look forward to continuing our partnership into the future.”

Brent Stock, Executive Director

Since 1997, the James River Basin Partnership has committed to preserve and protect water quality within the James River basin and the Ozarks landscape. Their mission is made possible through the hosting of cleanups, festivals and other educational outreach events.

In 2015, the James River Basin Partnership received their first grant from the Hulston Family Foundation, and they have been receiving annual support ever since.

These grant funds have gone directly towards service learning opportunities, teaching water quality concepts and creating hands-on experiences for students, families and the community as a whole. Opening the door to outside projects, the Hulston Family Foundation’s original grant was the biggest endowment donation the nonprofit has ever received.

In 2019 alone, they hosted 6 litter cleanups and enlisted over 200 volunteers that helped remove over 6,000 pounds of trash from local waterways. As the JRBP continues to provide service learning opportunities across the community, a new generation of Water Warriors are developing a passion for natural resources and learning the importance of local waterways.