Royal CU Foundation Donates $150,000 to Local Nature Center

 EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – The Royal Credit Union (RCU) Foundation made a $150,000 gift to the Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center in support of the Center’s new Wisconsin campus just outside of Hudson, WI. The new campus will expand quality environmental education and access to restored and protected habitat along the St. Croix River. Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center serves 30,000 people annually, including 7000 K-12 students. Entrance to the Nature Center is free and program fees are kept low to ensure access to all. The new Wisconsin campus will provide a place for people of all ages to connect with nature and learn from experienced Carpenter naturalists.

 “The RCU Foundation is making a huge impact on the quality of life in Hudson and beyond by helping provide amazing and accessible places for our community to connect with nature,” said Jennifer Vieth, Executive Director of the Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center. “We are incredibly grateful to Royal Credit Union Foundation for their generous support of the new Wisconsin campus of the Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center.”

The mission of the Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center is to foster a sense of responsibility toward the natural world through environmental education, habitat conservation and outdoor experiences. “We strongly believe that our future leaders need to receive quality environmental education, and we appreciate the work of the Carpenter Nature Center,” said John Sackett, Royal Credit Union Foundation President. “The Foundation’s purpose is to create a positive impact in the lives we touch, and we think the Wisconsin Campus of the Carpenter Nature Center will make a difference in the lives of our youth and communities.” Funds from the RCU Foundation will be used for construction of the classroom in the new Center.

About Royal Credit Union Foundation

The Royal Credit Union Foundation (Foundation) was established in 2012 to support organizations and initiatives in communities where Royal Credit Union operates in western Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota.  The Foundation focuses on large-scale, capital projects that help build community and create the spaces where people come together. Focus areas include education, health, and the arts. The Foundation hosts the annual Rock the Riverfront-Charity Classic event in Eau Claire. Currently, it has awarded more than $7 million in grants. Contact foundation@rcu.org for more information.

About Royal Credit Union

Royal Credit Union is a federally insured credit union proudly serving over 260,000 Members in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Royal is driven by a core ideology built on a strong purpose and values. You can open an account or apply for a low-rate loan at Royal Credit Union if you live or work in 26 counties in western Wisconsin or 16 counties in Minnesota. Counties served in Wisconsin include Adams, Ashland, Bayfield, Barron, Buffalo, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson, Lincoln, Marathon, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Washburn, and Wood. Counties served in Minnesota include Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Goodhue, Hennepin, Isanti, Olmsted, Pine, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Wabasha, Washington, Winona and Wright. A complete list of Member eligibility requirements is available on the Royal Credit Union website. To learn more about Royal, visit rcu.org or call 800-341-9911.