ABOUT US

OUR MISSION: Jocassee Wild Outdoor Education seeks to educate youth and adults in order to make personal, ecological and social connections with the importance of the wild, pristine, and natural spaces of Lake Jocassee and the Jocassee Gorges ecoregion.

Our Story Begins

Brooks and Kay Wade founded Jocassee Wild Outdoor Education in 2018 with the help of many local naturalist friends. Their mission of education and connection to wild and natural outdoor spaces applies to all ages, with a special emphasis on providing opportunities for local youth.

The Jocassee Gorges provide the perfect outdoor classroom for children and adults to learn about this unique and important intersection of Carolina mountains and piedmont.

The nonprofit has three areas of interest: Loon Research, the Jocassee Wild Naturalist Program and the Jocassee Wild Child Program. All programs use beautiful Lake Jocassee as the entryway into the Jocassee Gorges. All funding raised from donations are applied to the Jocassee Wild Child program.

Our Vision

Jocassee Wild Outdoor Education will inspire youth and adults to make deep, lasting connections to wilderness areas, and to preserve, protect, and share beautiful wild areas like the Jocassee Gorges for generations to come.

our story continues...

In 2020, Kerry McKenzie joined the team as Director of the Jocassee Wild Child program. With Kerry’s energy, enthusiasm, and experience, JWC has grown exponentially into a “must do” program for elementary and middle schools in Oconee, Pickens, and Anderson counties.

“Our goal is to provide a place for people to learn about the Jocassee Gorges as a unique and critically important ecoregion,” Kay Wade says. “You can learn about geology, mountain building, the water cycle, stream ecology, the gorges important role in climate change, hydroelectric energy, and rainforest ecology.”

The nonprofit operates with a director and a small crew of dedicated part-time employees. Volunteers are also vital to our programs. Volunteers assist with raising funds, researching and writing grants, and helping with communication and public outreach.