The Perry J. Cohen Wetlands Laboratory (PJCWL) at Jupiter High School is being created to support the Jupiter Environmental and Research Field Studies Academy in partnership with the Palm Beach County School District. In addition, the foundation has established a continuing education component for high-school students seeking an education in Marine Sciences (which Perry was) and have also created and started to fund the Perry J. Cohen Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science (UMRMAS).
The PJCF is committed to matching the first $100k in donations from private or corporate donors for the Wetlands Laboratory project. A donation made will help transform an existing water retention pond at the entrance of Jupiter Community High School into the PJCWL and habitat, which will be planted with materials ranging from the Coastal Upland Hammock to the Littoral Shelf. In addition, the design includes a bridge with stairs into the water, an ADA boardwalk into the deepest part of the pond. These hardscape elements will provide a platform from which students can access the water safely for taking water samples and teachers can conduct lessons. A nature trail with interpretive signage will identify the varied plant material installed from the five most recognized Eco Zones of Florida.
The created wetlands habitat and working laboratory is backed by a certified AICE (Advanced International Certificate of Education) curriculum with instruction inside and outside the classroom under the name of the existing thirteen-year program at the school entitled the Jupiter Environmental and Research Field Studies Academy (JERFSA). The AICE program is considered an international curriculum and examination program that’s modeled on the British pre- college curriculum and “A Level” exams.The project has a full certified curriculum inside and outside the classroom that has been operational for years under the name "Environmental Research and Field Studies Academy" and it will educate thousands of children throughout PB County over its lifetime. The program has a very strong alumni. Main Sponsors of the Wetlands Laboratory are the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, Miami Dolphins Foundation, Art Miami Family of Fairs & The Telvi Family on Behalf of The UM RSMAS
Shepard Fairey came to JCHS on December 4, 2017 and painted this special mural which he donated in support of the PJCWL and the Jupiter Environmental Research Field Study Academy (JERFSA) program at Jupiter Community High School. Mr. Fairey has generously gifted his work of art to be utilized in all present and future fundraising efforts by the foundation and the JERFSA program. Students from JCHS Art, Graphic Design, Marketing and Agriculture classes are all involved in the fundraising efforts of the PJCWL Project.
In addition to his generous donation, Mr. Fairey lent his time to judging a contest within the graphic arts class at the high school. The artwork selected by Mr. Fairey was created by JCHS JERFSA, AICE Photo & Design student Peyton White and is being utilized on T-shirts that are being sold for $20.00 each to support the PJCFWL – see attached images. Shirts can be purchased via:
